UCLA Football: Writer Praises This Element Of Chip Kelly's Game Management
Though there was much to dissect about the Bruins' victory over SDSU over the weekend, some chose to identify Chip Kelly's tendency on the sidelines in their win.
Many fans may overlook the minute details due to this particular sequence failing to score points, but one writer took the time to take note of how Kelly managed the clock to end the first half of UCLA's win over the Aztecs.
Kelly only had two timeouts left, but he still used one in an attempt to get the ball back once more before needing to kick off to start the third quarter. He called another timeout after the second down, knowing the clock would run down to no more than 25 seconds after the third down. The offense retook the field with just 16 seconds left in the half after a dribbling punt shaved seven valuable seconds off the clock. Regardless, the sixth-year coach drew up two quick passes to march 33 yards down the field and onto SDSU’s 32-yard line. But regardless of the outcome on the field, Kelly was aggressive with his clock management at the end of the half. He could have accepted that 16 seconds may not have been enough time to run enough plays to reach field goal range, but he instead chose to make use of the timeouts he did have and try anyway.
Even as many fans will focus on Dante Moore's great performance or the defense limiting the Aztecs to 10 points in a dominant win, new NCAA rules may encourage more of these tactics from Kelly.
With a running clock likely to introduce more advertisements and commercials during games, college football's dynamics have certainly changed this season.
Embracing such a change in stride is Kelly, and such a method to his coaching will continue being monitored in the coming weeks.
