Five UCLA Players to Watch vs. Oregon

The Oregon Geese have crushed UCLA seven straight occasions when the groups meet in Autzen Stadium. The Geese have a 22-game residence win streak in Autzen, among the best within the nation. 

It is even imagined to rain on the visiting Bruins, additional emphasizing the Geese’ residence area benefit.

And but, the No. 9 Bruins are the top-dog within the Pac-12 proper now, and enter the sport ranked above the Geese. It looks like UCLA Head Coach Chip Kelly has his greatest probability but to beat his most well-known employer on his fourth attempt.

If Kelly is profitable, these gamers would be the the reason why.

1. Dorian Thompson-Robinson-Quarterback

In Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s 5 years at UCLA, he is misplaced to Oregon in all three contests. However, in all three of these video games, Thompson-Robinson was both splitting some portion of time with one other QB or was completely absent.

Final season, DTR scored two touchdowns towards the Geese however was getting crushed by Kayvon Thibodeaux and was pressured to exit the sport on UCLA’s final drive of the sport down three factors.

The backup Bruin quarterback got here in, threw a decide to DJ James, and that was that.

DTR has been on a revenge tour this season, and definitely has Oregon circled on the calendar. This season he is upped his completion charge to 74.8%, greater than a  12% improve on final 12 months’s complete. Add in simply two turnovers this season, and also you’re wanting on the new-and-improved DTR — a scary sight. 

READ MORE: Dylan Williams calls Oregon a prime faculty after decommitting from USc

2. Laiatu Latu-Linebacker

UCLA has been dominant within the switch portal, whether or not Coach Kelly admits it or not. The Bruins boast 20 starters from the switch portal since 2020, and one of the vital profitable is linebacker Laiatu Latu. 

Latu was considerably of a dangerous pick-up for UCLA. Beginning out at Washington, Latu performed in 12 of 13 video games in his true freshman season in 2019. The next two seasons, he did not get any enjoying time as a Husky.

However Latu has been a revelation for the Bruins protection this season. His 1.08 sacks per recreation is tied for greatest within the nation, together with two multi-sack video games this season, a pressured fumble and a security. 

Latu is a real game-wrecker when coming for the QB.

3. Zach Charbonnet-Operating Again

Zach Charbonnet can be a product of the switch portal, beginning his profession with Michigan. However Charbonnet has been so profitable at his new residence, it looks like he is been burning defenses within the Bruin child blue for a lot of seasons. 

Oregon did a incredible job bottling up Charbonnet in final season’s matchup, limiting the operating again to 35 yards on 15 carries. Oregon permits the fewest dashing yards per recreation this season within the Pac-12, however that would change after Charbonnet will get a re-evaluation.

UCLA’s star operating again tops the Pac-12 with 123 dashing yards per recreation, together with six dashing touchdowns. In his final outing towards Utah, Charbonnet had 198 yards and a rating on the bottom.

Charbonnet towards Oregon’s run protection might very nicely dictate which staff wins on Saturday.

READ MORE: The right way to watch, stream and take heed to No. 10 Oregon vs. No. 9 UCLA

4. Darius Muasau-Linebacker

Simply behind Oregon, UCLA has the second-stingiest run protection within the Pac-12. UCLA offers up 99 dashing yards per recreation (Oregon offers up 98 yards per recreation), and a giant purpose is Darius Muasau and the linebacker corps.

Muasau is one other switch in his first 12 months with UCLA after leaving Hawaii. But it surely’s Muasau’s fourth 12 months of faculty soccer, and his expertise is overwhelmingly obvious in the midst of the protection.

With 38 tackles, Muasau leads the staff within the class. However final recreation was his greatest efficiency but, forcing a fumble and choosing off Utah quarterback Cameron Rising to go together with eight tackles. 

Muasau is getting sizzling on the proper time for the Bruins.

5. Jake Bobo-Large Receiver

A typical theme among the many gamers listed here’s a break-out recreation that propelled UCLA to their big wins over Washington and Utah — and moreover, their top-10 rating.

And few gamers can declare extra credit score for the 40-32 win over Washington than huge receiver Jake Bobo — a fifth-year who left Duke for UCLA within the offseason.

Coming into that matchup, all of the storylines have been about Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. being a sleeper to win the Heisman. Thompson-Robinson quieted these hopes, and inserted himself into the Heisman dialog by feeding Bobo all recreation.

Bobo ended with six catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns — a efficiency that single-handedly altered the sport. On the season Bobo averages 16 yards per catch. At 6’5″, Bobo’s distinctive mix of dimension and velocity makes him liable to interrupt a giant play any time he catches it.

READ MORE: Oregon recruiting customer listing for UCLA

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