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UCLA running back duo among four highest-graded running backs of the week

SimonGibbs_UserImageby:Simon Gibbs•08/29/21•

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Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images.

The UCLA Bruins kicked off their season in emphatic fashion yesterday, winning a Week 0 matchup with the Hawaii Ranbow Warriors by a final score of 44-10. Just a day later, its duo of running backs, Zach Charbonnet and Brittain Brown, were named two of the four highest-graded running backs of the week by Pro Football Focus.

Charbonnet made an immediate impact in his first half of his debut with the Bruins, running for 106 yards and three touchdowns with 14 more receiving yards. The junior’s performance was good enough to make him Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 highest-graded running back in the country for Week 0.

The Michigan transfer scored his first touchdown of the season on just his fourth touch. After a 10-yard carry to kick off his UCLA career, Charbonnet capped off the second drive of the game with a 20-yard rushing touchdown.

Melva Thompson-Robinson, mother of UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, was so excited by the performance she tweeted “Thanks @UMichFootball” as Charbonnet had his stellar opening performance in a UCLA uniform.

On his next touch, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound former four-star recruit ran for a 47-yard touchdown to extend the Bruins lead over Hawaii. The dominance continued for Charbonett on the next possession when he scored a 21-yard touchdown, giving him three touchdowns on his first six carries.

Brown was no different, putting together a solid performance of his own. The senior from Canton, Georgia managed 78 rushing yards on just 13 attempts, averaging six yards per carry. He scored one touchdown, too; the one score coming from a goal-line carry on the one-yard line. Brown did not have any receptions on Saturday but did receive the bulk of UCLA’s carries.

Brown’s performance was enough to make him this week’s No. 4 highest-graded running back in the country by Pro Football Focus.

Charbonnet, Brown and the UCLA Bruins will have a much taller task in its Week 2 contest. Following its blowout victory of Hawaii, the Bruins will host the LSU Tigers on Sept. 4, with LSU opening its season at the Rose Bowl. UCLA’s win over Hawaii was head coach Chip Kelly’s first nonconference win in four seasons with the Bruins.