UCLA’s best offensive player from last season was Josh Kelley, and he was nowhere to be found during the first half of the Bruins’ game against Cincinnati on Thursday night.
Kelley has dealt with a knee injury during training camp. Though he participated in pregame warmups, he did not carry the ball in the first half. Bruins head coach Chip Kelly was asked about Kelley’s status at halftime.
“We haven’t had a lot of snaps. We’re trying to get Josh in. He hadn’t practiced much during the week — we’re not going to put him in harm’s way. We gotta get him loose a little bit,” Kelly told ESPN’s Molly McGrath.
Kelley rushed for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He had six 100-yard games and became a true bellcow back, even rushing for 289 yards in a win over rival USC. Without him getting carries, UCLA gave the ball to Demetric Felton.
In addition to Kelley, Kazmeir Allen and Theo Howard were not playing. They were among several starters who were not playing.
#UCLA is playing this game without seven starters: RB Joshua Kelley, WR Theo Howard, LT Alec Anderson, LG Michael Alves, CB Darnay Holmes, LB Tyree Thompson, OLB Keisean Lucier-South.
— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) August 30, 2019
The lack of top options showed for the Bruins.
