PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Wilton Speight continued his efficient passing since returning to the lineup on Oct. 20, going 13-of-22 for 166 yards with a touchdown against USC. But the surprise element the quarterback added to the UCLA offense in the win came in the form of 22 rushing yards on seven carries, including one key first-down conversion, and a touchdown.
–WR Theo Howard has been one of two constants in UCLA’s passing attack, along with TE Caleb Wilson, as the coaching staff has experimented using other targets more frequently. Howard’s stalwart status will likely have him facing down Stanford CB Paulson Adebo, a breakout star for the Cardinal this season.
–CB Nate Meadors dealt with what teammate Adarius Pickett called “ups and downs” in 2018, but the senior heads into his UCLA finale on the upswing. He made a crucial interception in the win over USC, and will play an integral role in slowing Stanford’s multifaceted corps of pass-catchers.
–LB Krys Barnes has been UCLA’s key run-stopper throughout 2018, and is coming off arguably his best game of the season. Barnes made 11 tackles, including one for loss, and deflected two pass attempts against USC.
SERIES HISTORY: UCLA leads the series, 45-41-3, but has gone winless since 2008. Stanford’s current streak of 10 straight victories is the longest run for either program since the two began playing in 1925.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We stuck together throughout the season. We are 3-8 or whatever, but we stuck together. We have a great coaching staff that tells us to keep pushing. We come back every week with the mindset of just getting better.” — UCLA safety Adarius Pickett on sticking together through a challenging season.
