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UCLA Football: Three takeaways from loss to San Diego State

By Jamaal Artis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Jesse Matthews #45 of the San Diego State Aztecs eludes Leni Toailoa #26 of the UCLA Bruins on a pass play during the first half of a game on September 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Jesse Matthews #45 of the San Diego State Aztecs eludes Leni Toailoa #26 of the UCLA Bruins on a pass play during the first half of a game on September 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA Football team entered Week 2 as the favorites after losing in Week 1 but could not get it done against San Diego State, at home nonetheless.

The UCLA Football team came home for the first time in the 2019 college football season. They proved to be very giving hosts to the San Diego State Aztecs, losing 23-14. This was the first time the Aztecs have defeated the Bruins in college football.

Like their season opener, the Bruins were disjointed and lackluster; after scoring on their opening drive, the Bruins would be outscored 23-7 and have given their fans very little to be optimistic about their season.

These are the three takeaways of the Bruins loss.

Turnovers Kill!

A week after losing the turnover game four to two, the Bruins were once again plagued by being unable to hold onto the ball. Dorian Thompson-Robinson fumbled twice for the second week in a row, both times proving costly.

On the first fumble he was unable to recognize a blitz package that led to a strip-sack where the Aztecs recovered at the UCLA 36-yard line.

The Aztecs wasted no time and scored on a 34-yard touchdown pass by their quarterback Ryan Agnew. The Aztecs went up 17-7 a hole the Bruins never climbed out of.

O-Line Play 

Based on the eye test, the Bruins’ biggest weakness throughout the game was the play of their offensive line. Thompson-Robinson was sacked three times to go with the two fumbles; he was constantly hurried, which disrupted his passing opportunities.

Despite getting Joshua Kelly back, the Bruins could not run the ball any better. The Bruins were actually outgained 100 yards to 96 on the ground. It got worse as the game went along: the Bruins only gained 19 rushing yards in the second half.

UCLA secondary MIA

For the second week in a row, Jaelen Phillips did not play in the UCLA secondary and it showed. Agnew carved up the Bruins, completing 23 of 31 passes with nine yards per attempt and the big touchdown off the Bruins fumble.

Whenever the UCLA defense needed a stop, the secondary faltered, giving up first down conversions on four of five passing for 62 yards. The most crucial play came in the fourth quarter. With the Aztecs up 20-14 and third and three on the UCLA 37, Agnew found a receiver for 19 yards to the Bruins 19.

That play led to a field goal that provided the losing 23-14 margin for the Bruins.

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Moving Forward

It doesn’t get any easier for the UCLA football team in their next game as they host the Oklahoma Sooners and their star quarterback Jalen Hurts next week. With their two lackluster games of the season so far, it looks like a 0-3 start to the season.

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