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UCLA Football: Washington defense is Josh Rosen’s biggest challenge yet

By Andrew Miller

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass during the second half of a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Rose Bowl on September 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass during the second half of a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Rose Bowl on September 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Huskies have lost some big name defensive backs due to injury, but it’s still a colossal challenge for UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen.

UCLA football takes on the No. 12 ranked Washington Huskies in Week 9 Pac-12 action. Few teams have been on as much of a roller coaster ride this season as the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins have a 4-3 (2-2 Pac-12) record, coming off a big 31-14 win over the Oregon Ducks. Junior quarterback Josh Rosen threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in that contest with Oregon.

However, no team that UCLA has played yet quite compares to the Huskies in terms of ranking or talent level. Washington has a very balanced offense that can defeat you in a multitude of ways. Whether it be junior Washington quarterback Jake Browning passing or junior running back Myles Gaskin running the ball, the Huskies have weapons at every skill position.

That’s where Rosen comes into play. If there’s any quarterback in the nation that can keep his team in a game with a team like UW, it’s Rosen. He’s single handedly led the Bruins to four games with a dynamic passing game involving wide receivers Darren Andrews and Jordan Lasley.

Andrews has quietly established himself as one of the best receivers in the Pac-12. He’s caught 49 passes for 634 yards and eight touchdowns. Lasley is second on the team in receiving. Both Andrews and Lasley have benefitted from the crazy production from Rosen.

In the process of vying to be a No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Rosen has thrown for more than 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns in just seven games. He’ll have to better than ever against a UW secondary that is very stingy, though.

Washington head coach Chris Petersen has reloaded his secondary with players like redshirt junior safety JoJo McIntosh and sophomore safety Taylor Rapp. This is a ball-hawking secondary that can quickly take advantage of mistakes from the opposing quarterback.

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The Huskies have experienced some injury problems with junior cornerback Jordan Miller and redshirt freshman cornerback Byron Murphy both out for the season. While that means a smaller challenge for Rosen, he’ll still have to possibly have his best game of the season for the Bruins to have a chance.

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