UCLA vs. Texas: Game Grades, Analysis for Bruins and Longhorns
Despite losing Heisman Trophy candidate Brett Hundley to an elbow injury, the UCLA Bruins were able to stick out a 20-17 win over the Texas Longhorns on Saturday night.
Backup Jerry Neuheisel overcame a rough start to throw two second-half touchdowns, including the game-winner to Jordan Payton. Tailback Paul Perkins also came up big with 195 yards of offense.
As for Texas, it was a hard-fought effort that showed off the continued improvement of Tyrone Swoopes just as much as the team's room to improve across the board. There has been progress, but it's taking more time than most would like to see.
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| Passing Offense | D | A |
| Rushing Offense | F | A |
| Passing Defense | C- | B |
| Rushing Defense | C | B+ |
| Special Teams | A- | A |
| Coaching | B | A |
Passing Offense: As expected, it took a little while for Neuheisel to settle in once he took over for Hundley. The Longhorns were getting a lot of pressure while simultaneously stuffing the run, and the backup deserves a lot of credit for refusing to make a mistake under those conditions.
He looked much more comfortable in the second half, and he was in command on the game-winner to Payton. This was a team effort, with the offensive line and receivers both coming through when called upon.
Rushing Offense: The Bruins averaged 1.9 yards per carry in the first half. They were then able to kick it up to a commendable 4.6 over the final two quarters. And that's with Hundley standing on the sideline with a mummified left arm.
The offensive line wore out the Texas front, leaving Jordon James' late fumble as the only complaint you could possibly have about the second half.
Passing Defense: Swoopes started hot, then he cooled off in the second half once the Bruins keyed on his favorite receivers and kept him in the pocket to curb his big-play ability. The sack of Swoopes on Texas' final drive all but sealed the win.
Rushing Defense: It was surprising to see such a talented front seven get pushed around in the first half. Then, as with the rest of the team, these guys stepped up to keep the Longhorns from picking up big chunks in the second half. The lone mistake came on Johnathan Gray's 31-yard burst in the fourth quarter.
Special Teams: Solid coverage throughout, though the punt unit is lucky that Texas safety Jason Hall is still figuring out how to block kicks. Ka'imi Fairbairn connected from 47 and 25 yards out, and Ish Adams' 45-yard punt return set up the game-winning touchdown.
Coaching: You have to give Jim Mora and his staff credit for how they handled the Hundley injury. UCLA took some punches in the first half then adjusted at halftime to turn the tables on the Longhorns.
For the Bruins to win this game without such a valuable piece is impressive, regardless of how you feel about Texas in its current state.
| Passing Offense | A | C+ |
| Rushing Offense | A | C- |
| Passing Defense | A | D |
| Rushing Defense | A | D |
| Special Teams | C | F |
| Coaching | B- | D |
Passing Offense: Swoopes was solid once again, and he continues to be a bright spot. He started 11-of-11, completing over 70 percent of his passes to finish with 196 yards and two touchdowns.
He's not spectacular, but Swoopes is avoiding mistakes and making plays when they're there. If he ever gets solid protection and/or John Harris quits the butterfinger act, he's going to be really fun to watch.
Rushing Offense: Malcolm Brown got off to a hot start but started losing room to run in the second half to finish with 69 yards on 14 carries.
Gray was used sparingly, but he was able to crank out a 31-yard run to set up Texas' go-ahead score in the fourth.
As with Swoopes, these two can only do so much with the blocking they're getting. The Horns have yet to impose their will up front this season.
Passing Defense: The defensive line should have dominated this matchup, but it failed to record a second-half sack after getting three in the first two quarters.
Preseason All-Big 12 defensive end Cedric Reed has been invisible through three games. Everyone, including cornerback Quandre Diggs, looks beatable in coverage. Payton absolutely roasted Duke Thomas on the decisive touchdown.
Rushing Defense: Once again, it was the tale of two halves on the ground. Malcom Brown and the front seven were everywhere in the first half, holding the Bruins to 1.9 yards per carry.
Then Perkins ripped off the 58-yard run to start the third quarter, and an average UCLA rushing attack controlled the rest of the game.
Special Teams: Aside from Hall's two penalties for running into the kicker, special teams was solid in the first half before imploding in the second.
The return game isn't scaring anyone, Nick Rose put a kickoff out of bounds late in the fourth and Adams' 45-yard punt return set up the game-winner.
Coaching: What was better in the second half? The Longhorns stayed in the game and had a chance to pull off the upset when they recovered the Jordan James fumble.
Instead, they went three-and-out so Mora could give the coaches a free lesson on how to capitalize on a big play.
It's way too early to doubt Charlie Strong, but Texas blew several chances to take control of the game.
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