If DeShaun Foster and the UCLA Bruins want to improve to .500 in both the Big Ten and on their overall record, they’ll have to limit big plays from sophomore wide receiver Denzel Boston and the Huskies’ offense Friday night.
Roman Tomashoff of UW Huskies Wire mentioned Boston as a key piece ahead of the game:
“If coach Jedd Fisch wants to find a way to lead Washington to bowl eligibility, he’ll need to find a way to get Boston going against UCLA’s defense, which ranks No. 17 in the Big Ten, allowing 252.8 yards per game.”
Washington is 5-5 on the year and their success coincides with how Boston performs, with the sophomore averaging 61.8 receiving yards in the Huskies’ losses with that number growing to 81.6 in wins. Unsurprisingly, Boston has scored twice as many touchdowns in Huskies’ wins (6) as losses (3).
The Bruins’ passing defense has allowed 252.8 yards per game so far this season which currently ranks #114 in the country and could be an area that the Huskies attack rank #33 in the nation, with an average of 264.5 passing yards per game.
Washington’s offense is far from a one-man band, with senior wide receiver Giles Jackson also finding himself top-ten in the Big Ten in both receptions (60) and receiving yards (620) with three total touchdowns.
Huskies’ junior running back Jonah Coleman is already up to 913 rushing yards while averaging 6.0 yards per carry, with the junior ranking top-five in the Big Ten in carries, rushing yards, yards per carry and yards per game. Defending the rush has been a strong point for defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe and the Bruins’ defense, ranking #7 in the country giving up only 98.1 rushing yards a game.