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UCLA Football: 5 takeaways from Bruins’ 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins looks over his shoulder as he heads for the end zone during the first second of a football game at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins looks over his shoulder as he heads for the end zone during the first second of a football game at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins reacts to his touchdown run for a 28-27 lead over the USC Trojans leading to a 34-27 UCLA win at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins reacts to his touchdown run for a 28-27 lead over the USC Trojans leading to a 34-27 UCLA win at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. Joshua Kelley emerged as fan favorite

How do you become a fan favorite at UCLA? You put the team on your back to beat rival USC. The junior running back and transfer had his best game of the season against the Trojans, approaching the 300-yard mark on the ground.

Kelley finished with 289 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries, helping the Bruins beat the Trojans 34-37. He literally put the offense on his back and led the Bruins past the Trojans.

How else do you earn the respect and admiration from the UCLA fan base as a running back? Well, breaking the 1,000-yard mark was a good start. Not only did he help beat the Trojans with one of the best single-game rushing performances in school history, but he topped the 1,000-yard mark on the season which is a feat many Bruin fans didn’t see coming.

For years, UCLA struggled running the ball and it had a lot to do with Jim Mora not dedicating enough time and resources to that part of the offense. Now that Chip Kelly is in town, guys like Kelley are thriving in the run game.

We have a new fan favorite in town as Kelley is set to return for the 2019 season — and a potential Heisman dark-horse.

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