UCLA Football: Run Game Crucial to Beating Texas, Winning Pac-12

Establishing a consistent and multidimensional run game is vital for UCLA football in its pursuit of the 2014 Pac-12 Conference championship. The No. 12-ranked Bruins can take a big step to that end Saturday in their final nonconference date, a showdown with Texas.

The multidimensional part of that equation is a given for UCLA heading into AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as Bruins head coach Jim Mora explained on Tuesday's Pac-12 coaches teleconference.

"We go into every game with the plan of playing multiple backs," Mora said. "You have to be able to do that, just to take the load off guys."

Running backs Jordon James, Paul Perkins and Nate Starks factored into the plan in Week 2 against Memphis and will share the load in Week 3 against the Longhorns.

A diverse ground game is a proven road map for success against this Texas team. Its Week 2 opponent, Brigham Young, flourished employing multiple rushers. Six Cougars combined to rack up 248 yards on the ground.

A multifaceted and potent running attack is also a common theme for recent Pac-12 champions: Four of the conference's last five winners ranked No. 22 or better nationally in rushing offense.

Expect UCLA to bring its most varied approach of this season into action Saturday. 

Player	Carries	Yards	TD
RB Paul Perkins	39	178	2
QB Brett Hundley	26	65	1
RB Nate Starks	2	11	0
LB Myles Jack	3	7	1
RB Jordon James	7	5	0

Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone has certainly shown no qualms about throwing a variety of ball-carriers at opposing defenses. The Bruins had one of the most unique run games in college football a season ago—though more out of necessity than strategy.

James opened the 2013 campaign with three consecutive games of more than 100 yards on the ground, capably taking up the mantle UCLA's all-time leading rusher Johnathan Franklin left behind after 2012.

James has yet to duplicate that same level of production since injuring his ankle in Week 4 of 2013. His yards per carry in three games after the injury were 1.3, 1.8 and 3.4. This season, James has had outputs of three yards on five carries against Virginia and two yards on two carries against Memphis.

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

James will still see touches as the Bruins try to establish a multifaceted running attack.

"We want to still see Jordon James be productive," Mora said.      

But UCLA has had to adjust without him before. Last season, the Bruins filled the void James' injury left with quarterback Brett Hundley and linebacker Myles Jack, who led the Bruins in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, respectively.

Both Hundley and Jack have had ball-carrying opportunities in 2014: Jack has a touchdown, and Hundley's 65 yards are second most among all Bruins through two games.

Hundley's running ability injected much-needed life into the UCLA offense in the Week 1 win over Virginia. He scored the team's only offensive touchdown that afternoon on a six-yard rush, carrying a Cavaliers defender with him into the end zone.

He showed off a blend of both straight-ahead power as well as a particular knack for misdirection via the zone read:

Look for Hundley to establish himself as a running threat much earlier in Week 3. The Texas defense is a week removed from surrendering 99 yards and three touchdowns to BYU quarterback Taysom Hill. The Longhorns also closed 2013 by allowing Hundley's Pac-12 counterpart Marcus Mariota 133 yards on the ground.

The designed Hundley runs that buoyed the Bruins in Week 1 can exploit deficiencies in the Longhorns front seven. Meanwhile, another Bruin who played a critical role in the second half at Virginia will again be central to Saturday's effort.

Perkins' helped jump-start UCLA at Virginia, with the bulk of his 80 yards coming in the second half.

"The start of the second half against Virginia, he just came alive," Mora said. "He's got that slashing style. He's got really good vision. He's got patience behind the line of scrimmage to let the hole open, and then when he sees it, he's able to put his foot in the ground and go.

"Paul's really stood out to us," he added.

The coaching staff's confidence in Perkins now is evident. Used primarily as a change-of-pace back in 2013, he was the Bruins' featured ball-carrier against Memphis.

Perkins capitalized on the opportunity with 98 yards and two touchdowns.

Perkins should head the Bruins rushing attack again at Texas, but Mora said they won't hesitate to give James and Starks carries, as well.

"If one of those guys gets hot, then we're going to work the ball to them," Mora said. He laughed and added: "Hopefully, in an ideal world, they'd all get hot."

Should UCLA go into Pac-12 play with more than one hot hand in the backfield, the Bruins could be running to a conference championship.

Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise cited. Statistics compiled via CFBstats.com.