Pasadena, CA – A 3-0 record coming into Pac-12 play still had many Bruin fans wondering if this team was ready to compete. A thrashing on the road against Colorado made some heads turn. But the monumental upset win over Washington gave the UCLA faithful finally something to get excited about in October.
So here comes 11th ranked Utah to the Rose Bowl, where their only true competitive game so far was a Florida game where they lost the lead near the end of the game. Since then, each of their games have been clinched by more than three touchdowns. Today, the tables were turned with UCLA never letting go of their lead and dominating in the fourth quarter. UCLA’s 42-32 win now has some of the Bruin faithful wondering if they should be having some different conversations amongst themselves.
“They understand how you train during the week and how well you play on Saturdays,” Bruins head coach Chip Kelly said. “We are playing six games into the season, and you are seeing the results from what we are doing on a week by week basis.”
“I definitely wanted this one.” Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson Robinson said. “The point differential in the past has been crazy. It was a very very proud moment for me to see everyone happy after a win like this.”
This could very well be Kelly’s best game as UCLA’s head coach. There was no sense of panic. There was no sense of anyone being confused on what to run and where to be. While it may have taken Kelly a few years to establish some stability, the Bruins could find themselves into the top 15 with their bye week approaching.
Dorian Thompson Robinson paid his dividends in a big way with five total touchdowns, four in the air. His patience with the ball was by far one of his best, going 18-for-23, 8 pass completions going for more than 5 yards.
“It is important how good Dorian has become,” Kelly said. “There has been so much investment in what he is doing, and you are seeing the result on the field. When you see the list of quarterbacks that he surpassed to be the number one quarterback in touchdowns thrown, that’s a big deal.”
“From all the hard times I have went through, back and forth,” Thompson Robinson said. I am so thankful to be a part of this team and celebrate so many great accomplishments already this season.”
Zach Charbonnet had a blast when it came to pounding the Bruin running game. In the first half alone, Charbonnet’s 93 of his 125 yards rushing came on two plays. Both set up scoring drives. He finished with a total of 198 yards on the ground.
“We got a lot of good looks that we wanted, and our offensive line played great,” Charbonnet said. “Everyone read the blocks they needed, making this a complete game for all of us.”
Dorian Thompson Robinson also has shown patience and offensive IQ. Going 10-for-12 in the first half, his two scoring touchdown drives were near perfect, selling a QB draw to the endzone and a play action 10 yards from the goalline finding Jake Bobo in the back of the endzone.
Taking a 14-10 lead into the locker room at the break, the Bruins were all about playing level. In both possessions the Bruins found the endzone with Thompson Robinson’s arm. In both possessions they again relied on the running game with Charbonnet and Keegan Allen.
Starting the fourth, the Bruins essentially had a chance to wrap the game up. On 4th and 3 from near midfield, defensive lineman Jay Toia jumps offside, giving the Utes a free first down. Three plays later Cameron Rising keeps the ball for a nine yard touchdown run, cutting the Bruin lead to 3. But on the ensuing Bruin possession, two plays and 70 yards later, Thompson Robinson again finds Logan Loya wide open up the middle, giving the Bruins the ten point lead yet again.
Utah eventually runs out of luck coughing up the football on 4th and 1 with Darius Muasau scooping up an easy fumble running just shy to the goalline. UCLA scores one play later.
The Bruins are now 6-0 for the first time since 2005 in the Karl Dorrell era. With Utah now crossed off their list, their real final hurdle in October awaits them in two weeks heading to Oregon. Should the Bruins win, do we dare call it an upset?
“It is about how much work you put in,” Kelly said. Once you get across the white line you have to put the work in. The best thing this team does is come into work every day. I am so happy that these guys are buying into what we are doing.”
