UCLA Football: 3 takeaways from blowout win over Hawaii in Week 0

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Aug 28, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Zach Charbonnet (24) scores on a 21-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Zach Charbonnet, Brittain Brown make up deadly duo

Two transfers carried the load for UCLA’s backfield on Saturday afternoon as Brittain Brown got things kicked off with some solid runs and Zach Charbonnet closed the deal with three touchdowns and a 17.7 yards per carry average.

Brown, a former Duke running back, came to UCLA last season and sat behind Demetric Felton but the expectation was that he’d assume that role this year. Well, he has Charbonnet, a Michigan transfer, pushing him for touches. The two combined for 184 yards and four touchdowns on just 19 carries. Both were effective and showed that they’ll have major roles in the backfield.

Charbonnet was more of the home-run threat against Hawaii, finishing with 106 yards and three touchdowns on just six carries. He averaged a touchdown on every other carry — that’s insane.

Brown was still effective, touching the ball 13 times for 78 yards and a touchdown and continued the solid play he started last season.

This duo is going to cause more problems for the Pac-12 this season.

UCLA had the No. 12 rushing offense in the nation a year ago and I think that might just improve this season.

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