K-State Football: Three takeaways from the Cactus Bowl
UCLA is a Mess
I know this is the hard-hitting analysis you pay me for. Picking on a team that just fired their coach seems obvious but wow, was I unimpressed with the program. Don’t get me wrong, Jim Mora Jr. awkward snub of Bill Snyder after their last bowl match-up didn’t exactly endear UCLA to K-State . So there’s that already.
Last night though, highlighted exactly why UCLA had no choice but to move on. Landing Chip Kelly appears to be a coup, but that’s for another bowl game. UCLA ranked 127th out of 130 teams in Division 1 by allowing 5.76 yards per rush attempt.
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Against K-State, they managed to do worse by allowing 344 yards on 49 carries or seven yards per carry. That alone is a poor showing with how much talent they have. You should almost be able to accidentally stop teams before seven yards.
Also, in a pivotal moment, UCLA managed to pick up a sideline personal penalty from one of their better players for, get this, K-State simply catching a pass. It made no sense, but it extended an already long drive and destroyed any chance of a comeback. What Jordan Lasley was thinking is anybody’s guess, but considering his unit wasn’t even on the field, it’s bizarre at best.
Finally, this goes for both teams, but it was a coach’s nightmare. K-State came out against that 127 ranked rush defense by designing a passing attack. They, ONCE AGAIN, botched an end of half/game scenario where, on fourth down, they could have had a free play while running out the clock and instead, chose to just run out the clock. It’s the third inexcusable mistake and should convince everybody that there is massive communication issues.
Also, I cannot figure out what Jedd Fisch was doing. In fact, since it matters to one of the fanbases who reads this site, I would be fearful of hiring him as your offensive coordinator based upon his performance in this game.
UCLA changed their attack at halftime, switching from the occasional deep attack flanked by repeated attempts to get their skill players in space to the opposite. The original attack was perfect to beat the K-State bend but don’t break defense. It’s why UCLA led 17-7 at halftime.
Once K-State woke up with Delton, and Fisch made another boneheaded mistake attempting a fourth and six long fade pass, it was over.