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UCLA Football: 3 takeaways from Bruins loss to USC in Week 12

By Connor Muldowney

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins greets head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins before the game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins greets head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins before the game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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UCLA football had a chance to salvage its season with a win over USC on Saturday, but the Bruins couldn’t pull off the upset.

Fresh off a win over Arizona State in Week 11, UCLA traveled down the road to face off against the USC Trojans in what looked like a major mismatch. Before the season, the Bruins were hoping for bowl eligibility after missing out in 2016 and a win over USC would have given them just that.

Unfortunately, a late touchdown by the Trojans sealed the game and foiled the Bruins’ upset plans. All eyes were on the battle at quarterback as Sam Darnold hosted Josh Rosen and the duel did not disappoint. However, the Bruins lost to the Trojans, 28-23.

The Bruins fell to 5-6 with the loss and will look to achieve bowl eligibility next weekend against the Cal Golden Bears. Until then, they will have to learn from their loss to USC.

Here’s what we learned from UCLA’s Week 12 loss to the crosstown rival Trojans.

3. Bruins made an effort to establish the run

At least UCLA made the effort, right? The Bruins made it a point to try and run to open up the passing attack, but the Bruins were just unsuccessful.

The common theme of the 2017 season for the Bruins has been their inability to run the ball. In fact, the Bruins finished with just 80 yards on 30 carries, averaging 2.6 yards per touch. Soso Jamabo didn’t have the worst day on the ground, but he made more of his touches than Bolu Olorunfunmi.

USC clearly had the better day on the ground behind All-American talent Ronald Jones II. The Bruins, on the other hand, have struggled to establish the run, even against a Trojans team that has been average against the run all season long.

Hey, it’s the thought that counts, Bruins fans.

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