Notre Dame 20, UCLA 6
Record: 4-2; Week 6 grade: F

Quarterbacks
Walk-on McLeod Bethel-Thompson was put in a very difficult position and poor play calling didn’t help, but in there is no overlooking four INTs, three fumbles (one lost) and a number of very poorly thrown balls. He was 12 of 28 for 139 yards, after Ben Olson went 4 of 10 for 54 yards, and also lost a fumble.
Grade: F

Running backs
Kahlil Bell lost a fumble on the first play after Notre Dame tied it 6-6, and also dropped a pass in the left corner of the end zone that could have pulled UCLA within seven points late in the fourth quarter. Christian Ramirez, who hurt his knee when he was hit in a non-contact drill in Thursday’s practice, didn’t play.
Grade: F

Receivers
Brandon Breazell and Joe Cowan had the same statistics (5 catches, 69 yards), but Breazell also had a ball go through his hands, which allowed Notre Dame to grab another interception. Frankly, it doesn’t matter how this unit did. Six points against this team doesn’t deserve anything but a failure. Holding penalty on TE Logan Paulsen negated a long Cowan touchdown catch.
Grade: F

Offensive line
Five sacks from the Irish, a bunch more hurries, a 2.4 yard rushing average and the inability to move the ball with regularity were the low points of first-year coach Bob Connelly’s crew. Good teams can run the ball even when the opponent knows it is coming. UCLA could not, despite what is supposed to be a talented offensive line.
Grade: F

Defensive line
Bruce Davis backed up his words during the week with three sacks, and the Irish netted 46 yards on 38 carries, but who figured UCLA’s offensive line would block less than Notre Dame’s. The Irish’s three offensive scores came on drives of minus-7 yards, 2 yards and 29 yards. Now, if this group can figure out to score points, UCLA may win again.
Grade: A

Linebackers
Just look at the 140 total yards of offense Notre Dame had and it’s easy to see how much UCLA’s defense dominated. Christian Taylor had six tackles, including two for loss, and Kyle Bosworth made four stops. Maybe this unit can brainstorm with the DL to figure out how to score more points.
Grade: A

Secondary
Notre Dame didn’t send many guys out in patterns, and the longest pass QB Jimmy Clausen completed with 15 yards. He averaged less than five yards on his 17 completions, so there wasn’t much chance for INTs. Alterraun Verner thought he had one, but he was called for pass interference.
Grade: A

Special teams
Kai Forbath made both his field goal attempts, Aaron Perez saw three of his five punts downed inside the 20 and the coverage teams were good. However, the Bruins needed to make something happen in the return game to aid the awful offense, and that didn’t take place.
Grade: B

Coaching
Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker did a great job, but that was offset by a terrible situation at quarterback, and mind-numbing play calls that had players shaking their heads. Fourth-and-1 with a third-string walk-on red-shirt frosh QB, and it’s a rollout? With ND not moving the ball, third-and-6 from your own 5 and another rollout, which is intercepted? How about putting the offense in position to be successful? Take a lesson from Charlie Weis on how not to let your inexperienced QB cost you a game. If only there were a lower grade to give.
Grade: F