Sports
Can UCLA make a run for it in Big Ten debut? Five things to watch against Indiana
Hawaii’s Pofele Ashlock hurdles UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger during the second half of the Bruins’ win at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on Aug. 31 in Honolulu.
(Darryl Oumi / Getty Images)
UCLA’s defense held the Rainbow Warriors to three points and 100 yards in the second half to spark a comeback, but what does it mean?
Answers could be forthcoming against an Indiana offense that has rolled up 108 points in two games, including a 77-3 shellacking of Western Illinois in which it set school records for points and total yards (701).
“I mean, any time you score 77 points,” Bruins linebacker Carson Schwesinger said, “it’s a dynamic offense.”
The Hoosiers are experienced at key positions, featuring a sixth-year quarterback in Kurtis Rourke and a seventh-year running back in Ty Son Lawton. They’re also incredibly balanced, averaging 278.5 yards rushing per game and 279 yards passing.
The Bruins seem to think that the solution to stopping the latter is stopping the former.
“If they’re getting four, five or six yards per carry,” UCLA edge rusher Jacob Busic said, “we’re not going to be able to rush the passer, they’re going to just keep running it all day.”