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    • Bruins Must Limit One of the Nation’s Best RBs
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    Bruins Must Limit One of the Nation’s Best RBs

    Harry Posted on

    The UCLA Bruins (3-5) are about to face one of the most talented players in college football and one of the best running backs they will battle all season with the Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3) at home on Friday night. .

    Hawkeyes junior running back Kaleb Johnson surprised the Big Ten and much of the country with his sensational play over nine weeks. He is among the best rushers in the country and has built the Hawkeyes into the best rushing attack in the Big Ten.

    Johnson ranks second in the nation in rushing yards (1,279), just behind Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty of Boise State (1,525). He also ranks third in rushing goals, having scored 19 goals this season. The one score brought his total of goals to 20 over a nine-game period.

    The Hamilton, Ohio native is averaging 7.5 yards per carry and has yet to be held under 80 yards in a game this year. His season-high 206 yards and three touchdowns came in Week 6 against the Minnesota Gophers.

    As a sophomore last season, Johnson played in nine games and threw for just 429 yards and three touchdowns. He finished second to senior Leshon Williams a season ago and has largely moved into the starting role since then.

    The competition will be interesting in the running game on Friday night. The Bruins are the Big Ten’s third-best team at stopping the run, allowing just 100.4 yards per game on the ground.

    The only rushing defense Johnson faced that was better than the Bruins was against No. 3 Ohio State, where he held his season-low totals for 86 yards and one score. A similar situation is expected this week as the Bruins will need Johnson to play fewer games on their way to victory.

    The key to victory for the Bruins is keeping Johnson under 100 rushing yards. The Hawkeyes are 1-2 this season with Johnson falling below that total.

    It’s unlikely to silence Johnson completely, but limiting the damage and getting the offense to throw the football will be the key to success. The Hawkeyes are the worst passing team in the country, averaging just 133.7 yards per game. Get them to throw and the Bruins will have a good chance.

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    Harry
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