UCLA Football: 3 takeaways from meltdown at Colorado in Week 5

2. Dorian Thompson-Robinson still inexperienced at QB

With Michigan transfer Wilton Speight injured nearly out of the gate, freshman quarterback Dorian Thomspon-Robinson has been starting for most of the season already. The true freshman was in high school last year, and that level of youth continues to show at times as Thompson-Robinson adjusts to the speed of collegiate defenses.

Thompon-Robinson has had mixed results to date in his first season at the college level. In the loss against the Buffaloes, Thompson-Robinson finished under 50 percent as he went 17-of-35 for 138 yards and a touchdown. The Bruins starter suffered through several sacks, finishing nine in the negative in rushing yardage as a result.

All in all, it was an ugly loss by the quarterback as Thompson-Robinson failed to keep up the pace against Colorado once the two teams returned from the locker room at halftime. It was a surprise to see the Bruins behind, but it wasn’t that big a surprise.

The rookie will get better with time, as he gains more experience and starts to more effectively read Pac-12 defenses. For now, though, Thompson-Robinson’s inexperience shows through as he takes on opponents this year. All Chip Kelly and his staff can do is continue to coach the youngster.