UCLA Football: 3 takeaways from close win over Arizona
By Zach Bigalke
3. UCLA’s defense is still a major area for concern
Arizona was unlucky to lose to UCLA on Saturday night, as the Bruins defense struggled to contain the Wildcats offense especially in the second half. After taking a 17-7 lead into the locker room at halftime, the Bruins faltered after the intermission and gave up 23 points in the last two quarters. This allowed Arizona to take the lead at one point as they ultimately lost by only a single point.
UCLA’s secondary gave up 231 yards, with two touchdowns but also two interceptions, against Arizona quarterback Rhett Rodriguez. The son of the former head coach in Tucson, Rodriguez went a frigid 15-of-34 on the day.
But that hardly means that the UCLA defense is in great shape. The Bruins coughed up 289 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries, as Arizona averaged more than seven yards per carry. The Wildcats regularly kept the chains moving when they opted to carry the ball, and it exposed UCLA as they nearly coughed up a lead in the back half of the game.
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In the end, UCLA did walk off the field at the Rose Bowl with their second win of the season. But when they didn’t have the ball, it wasn’t necessarily a pretty effort. There is reason to celebrate in Pasadena tonight, but not too much reason after a too-close victory over a reeling Arizona squad.