UCLA Tight End Details Washington Defensive Scouting Report

The Bruins are hosting a surging Washington team in their final home game of the season.

Nov 8, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Carter Smith (5) rushes with the football between Washington Huskies linebacker Deven Bryant (17) and defensive lineman Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei (11) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The UCLA Bruins (3-7, 3-4 Big Ten) may not officially be done for this season, but last week's 48-10 loss to No. 1 Ohio State officially put an end to their quest to complete a turnaround after starting the season 0-4.

Regardless, when you're a Tim Skipper team, you're always going to compete against who is in front of you, and the Bruins have a home clash against the Washington Huskies.

During Tuesday's media availability, UCLA tight end Jack Pedersen shared his early observations of Washington's physically imposing defense.

"Great defense, just getting into them," Pedersen said. "Trying to get rid of that Ohio State game and get the bad taste out of our mouth. But, physical. I think they broke it down today; a lot of penalties, so we just got to play a clean game and that's something that I know that we've struggled with as well. I had one Saturday, too.

"So, clean up the penalties for us and be able to play a clean, physical football game. I think we'll have a chance to beat these guys on Saturday and play a great game."

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Caden Curry (92) tackles UCLA Bruins running back Anthony Woods (6) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025. Ohio State won 48-10. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

UCLA's offense has faltered since hanging 42 and 38 points on Penn State and Michigan State, and it's mostly because the run game has disappeared outside of star quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Skipper Outlines UCLA’s Plan to Revive Run Game

It was the key to their offensive rise under Jerry Neuheisel, but the faltering of a ground game has plummeted UCLA's offensive ceiling entirely.

Bruins interim coach Tim Skipper is still searching for a way to revive the rushing game. During Monday's media availability, he detailed their quest towards that goal.

UCLA's Jalen Berger runs the ball against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"I mean, if you watch [the Ohio State game], the box is loaded," Skipper said. "Washington's going to load the box, too. They've been that way every game. They play a ton of man. They're going to stop the run. They dictate everything to it. We played some very, very, very good defense stopping the run. That's the first thing I'll say.

"I mean those boxes are loaded up. But we're going to continue to keep on doing that. Against Ohio State we rushed it 25 times, we threw it 23 times. You got to keep blocking. You got to keep on moving your feet. You just have to keep moving piles forward and eventually they break. But we're not going to go away from that. We're going to continue to try to keep winning in the trenches."

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) tackles UCLA Bruins running back Anthony Woods (6) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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