UCLA Football: 3 takeaways from shootout win over Arizona State

3. Bruins defense still a work in progress after giving up over 500 yards

Arizona State had a chance throughout their road loss against UCLA, thanks in large part to the fact that the Bruins defense is still a work in progress. A UCLA defense that gives away an average of 490 yards per game coughed up nearly 100 more than that in the win over the Sun Devils. All night long, the visitors were able to gash the home team both in the air and on the ground.

Demario Richard led the way for Arizona State running the ball, finishing with 125 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Kalen Ballage was right behind him, finishing just under triple digits with 97 yards. Arizona State finished the night with 294 rushing yards and two touchdowns as a team, though they failed to top five yards per carry in the final averages.

Manny Wilkins had a solid game at quarterback. While Nate Meador returns Wilkins’ only interception for a defensive score, the Sun Devils passer was otherwise able to take advantage of a revamped Bruins secondary. Wilkins finished with 290 passing yards and a touchdown on 21-of-37 passing. He also carried the ball 12 times for another 35 yards and another score.

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Toward the end of the game, Arizona State still had a chance to win the game. The Bruins stiffened up, holding the Sun Devils to a single field goal in the fourth quarter to prevent a comeback bid by the visitors. To have a shot at getting a sixth win, they will need to play more like they did in the final frame than they did in the first 45 minutes of the game.