PASADENA, Calif. - Hopes are running high for the UCLA Bruins football team. In the fourth year under head coach Chip Kelly, experts expect this squad to thrive in a wide-open Pac-12 South this season.

UCLA (1-0) got going right away in Week 0 of the college football season, opening up with a resounding win over Hawaii (0-1), pulling away for a 44-10 blowout win. The offense led the way, but UCLA dominated in all phases on Saturday, scoring a touchdown on special teams while smothering the Hawaii offense.

The Bruins' leaned on an elite running game in the first half and their backs delivered; they finished the first half with 203 yards and 4 TDs on the ground as their lead grew. Zach Charbonnet, the transfer from Michigan, went off in his UCLA debut. He made the most of his six carries, running for 103 YDS and 3 TDs, all in the first half.

After an early field goal, UCLA took a 10-point lead when Charbonnet scampered into the endzone halfway through the 1st quarter. Before the first half was over, Charbonnet would add a 47-yard TD and a 21-yard TD to put Hawaii away for good.

UCLA put up 397 total yards while limiting Hawaii to just 269. Even as UCLA took their foot off the gas pedal, Hawaii still struggled to execute. A blocked punt returned for a touchdown by UCLA in the third quarter epitomized the game overall; total domination.

This game was the first non-conference victory for Chip Kelly at UCLA (0-6 prior). This game served as a solid tune-up as UCLA gets set to host LSU next week at the Rose Bowl. That Pac-12 vs. SEC matchup should be a solid measuring stick for both teams as college football's regular season gets into full swing.

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It

UCLA's offense is what gives this team their growing reputation heading into this season. UCLA showed flashes of being good last year in the COVID-19 shortened season but still left a lot to be desired with a 3-4 record. With senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson returning for Chip Kelly's 4th season as head coach, this UCLA offense has high expectations entering 2021.

Thompson-Robinson was solid in the season opener (10-20, 130 YDS, 1 TD), but UCLA leaned on their running game throughout. UCLA's six running backs combined for 249 running yards and 4 touchdowns as Hawaii had no answer for their run game. Brittain Brown got the most carries (13 CAR, 78 YDS, 1 TD), but Charbonnet paced the group with his 100+ yard performance.

Charbonnet was solid in his freshman season at Michigan in 2019, leading the team in rushing with 726 yards and 11 touchdowns. But he had a less productive 2020 season, gaining just 124 yards on 19 carries before leaving the program in the offseason.

He seems to have landed in a perfect spot; the California-native scored three touchdowns while putting up his 3rd career 100+ rushing yard performance. His last such performance came on October 12, 2019, against Illinois, while at Michigan.

The addition of Charbonnet gives the Bruins a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield with him and Brown. Look for UCLA to lean on their solid running backs as the season moves forward.

Defense, Special Teams Deliver Just as Well

The UCLA defense was the sore spot of their 2020 season. All four of their losses came in games where their offense scored 35+ points; that included a stunning collapse against their rivals from USC. In that game, their defense allowed 20 points in the 4th quarter.

However, the UCLA defense looked like a different unit on Saturday. They smothered the Hawaii running game, allowing just 26 rushing yards on the day. Hawaii had a bit more success through the air (28-53, 243 YDS, 1 TD), but UCLA grabbed 2 INTs also.

Even the special teams unit was dominant on Saturday; Punter Luke Akers racked up 225 total yards on five well-struck punts, pinning Hawaii inside the 20-yard-line twice. They got in the endzone on special teams as well as Ale Kaho blocked a punt that David Priebe took it back for a score.

It is easy to overlook opening week results, but this game was a solid sign for UCLA overall. All phases of the team looked ready to go as they start a season with high expectations.

Up Next

UCLA vs. LSU, Saturday, September 4, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.

Hawaii vs. Portland State, Sunday, September 5, Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, Hawaii