The Gophers make the trip to Pasadena
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3) head to the Rose Bowl looking to get back above .500 with a road win over the UCLA Bruins (1-4) on Saturday at 8 p.m. CT.
Can UCLA score on offense?
Scoring points has been a struggle for the Bruins under first-year head coach DeShaun Foster.
They have been limited to 13 points or fewer in three of their first five games, and the 17 points they scored in a loss to LSU is currently the season high for UCLA.
The Bruins’ ground game is non-existent, averaging 62.4 rushing yards per game. They’ve only scored one rushing touchdown all season. Running back T.J. Harden was responsible for that lone score, and he leads the team with 48 carries for 151 rushing yards.
It’s unclear who will start at quarterback for UCLA. Ethan Garbers started the first four games of the season before exiting the Oregon game with an apparent leg injury. He was a gametime decision for the Penn State game last week, before the Bruins opted to start redshirt sophomore Justyn Martin instead. Even if Garbers is cleared to play against Minnesota, that’s not exactly a boon for the Bruins’ offense, as he is completing less than 60% of his passes this season and has thrown more interceptions (6) than touchdowns (3).
Leading receiver Rico Flores Jr. also missed last week’s game. With 12 receptions for 187 receiving yards and one touchdown, he is one of only two UCLA wide receivers with double-digit receptions, 100+ receiving yards, and a touchdown catch. The other is senior Logan Loya, who has 11 receptions for 109 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season. The Bruins will also use Harden and tight end Moliki Matavao in the passing game.
Please tell me the Gophers will be able to score
UCLA’s defense is formidable up front, ranking 25th nationally in run defense (allowing 102.8 rushing yards per game). A big reason for that is redshirt junior linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who is making a name for himself in his first year as a starter. His 49 total tackles lead the team. Redshirt senior linebacker Kain Medrano has also been disruptive alongside Schwesinger, racking up a team-high five tackles for loss while also second on the team in total tackles.
The primary issue for the Bruins has been defending the pass, even with a veteran secondary. UCLA boasts four senior starters in the defensive backfield, yet they rank 124th nationally in pass defense, allowing an average of 280.2 passing yards per game. The Bruins have also struggled to rush the passer, only generating six sacks and eight quarterback hurries through five games.
Free safety Bryan Addison is a name to know, as he leads all UCLA defensive backs with 24 total tackles and one 96-yard interception return for a touchdown.
But who will score more points on Saturday?
The Bruins are bad, but do not be surprised if this is a tight game in the first half. I do think the Gophers will be able to pull away eventually and build some positive momentum heading into their first bye week of the season. Minnesota 27, UCLA 14.