3 takeaways from UCLA football win over USC

It’s one of the most known rivalries in college sports: UCLA and USC. The battle of two great California schools. In this game, the UCLA Trojans made a statement loud and clear once again in the coliseum. UCLA football won 38-20. The Bruins have won the last two games played at the Coliseum.

UCLA’s Defense:

The biggest takeaway from this game is the Bruins’ defense. If you have to give the game ball, it will be everyone on defense, especially the defensive lineman. The Bruins’ defense fought through blocks and was on fire from the beginning of the game. They kept pressuring and sacking Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams, who has been impressive for most of the season, was in trouble all game long.

Williams was sacked four times and got hit about eight or nine times in this game. Trojans had two fumbles, one interception, and two turnovers on downs.

Laiatu Latu led the Bruins’ defense with seven tackles. He was sensational.

Garden’s Career Game:

UCLA football running back T.J. Garden had himself a game he will always remember. Garden had a career-high 142 yards on 22 carries. The Bruins’ defense may have grabbed the storylines but offensively, he was a machine against the Trojans. His longest run was 58 yards and he also had one touchdown.

USC’s Poor Running Game:

Did we see what we think we saw? USC only rushed for three years. I’ll say it again…THREE RUSHING YARDS. Those three yards that happened in just 22 carries were the fewest for the program since 2018. That’s not going to get the job done. USC’s offensive lineman didn’t do a good job of giving this offense a chance to shine against their rivalry.

The Trojans started the season 6-0. It feels like an eternity in some ways to think that USC was playing that great at one point. Fast forward to near the end of November, the Trojans now have lost five of their final six regular-season games. Meanwhile, UCLA football improved to 7-4. They will take on California next week.