WATCH: Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the support of his running backs, Kazmeir Allen

Thompson-Robinson completed just 50% of his passes but did not turn the ball over Saturday vs. Hawaii

UCLA football quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson talks to members of the media about his team’s blowout performance against Hawaii to kick off the 2021 campaign.

First nonconference win, big win over Hawaii?

Obviously a great team win. Team did great on all phases of the ball – offense, defense and special teams. Took care of the ball on offense. Created turn overs on defense so you couldn’t ask for more than that.

Talk about the running game?

If you ask me, I think we have the best running back duo in the country. And that was on full display today. I couldn’t be more proud of those guys and all the hard work they put in. As soon as Zach stepped on campus he had his nose in the playbook and really getting to work. So really happy for those guys.

Does run support take the pressure off of you?

Definitely and I think you saw that today. We weren't as great as we were on the outside and I think we have to pick that up come next week but kudos to Zach and Brittain. They did a great job today.

TD to Kaz in second half?

Kaz is a great friend of mine. Best friends since we been on UCLA. Very happy for him to get out there and get some reps at receiver and be able to catch his first touchdown out there. Definitely happy for him.

Ethan Garbers coming in?

I have a great relationship with all the quarterbacks. I try to take care of them like they are my brother. Same goes for Ethan when he is out there I’m trying to help him as much as I can. Coach Kelly kept play calling to a minimum ...obviously with the score and everything. (Ethan) did a great job I think he was 3 for 3 or something like that. He did a good job leading the offense down and getting the thing rolling.

Tying Troy Aikman’s career TD mark?

Everything Troy has done here I admire and I look up to. He is someone I can always go to and that’s definitely big but I’m just glad we got the win today and we can look on to next week.

Relationship with Aikman?

We’ve talked a few times when he’s come to campus.

You tweeted that you need to play better, what jumps out to you?

As I said before with the running game and that being as strong as it was we couldn’t really get into a rhythm passing wise but there’s a million different excuses I could give with the defense and all that stuff, at the end of the day we got to maximize our opportunities when given. If the running game is that strong we are only going to get a few passes and we have to maximize on all those opportunities. I just think getting back on the same page as the receivers and getting back to the drawing board and getting back to work.

Limited time in the second half?

I talked to Coach Gundy about it. Trying to get into a rhythm passing wise. Chip did a good job giving me a couple pass plays. A couple short plays early on. Found a rhythm and found Kaz so that’s something we’re going to have to build on going into next week and going into Monday’s practice.

How important is it having two running backs with the same style?

They compliment each other really well. They are both helping each other every day and working hard every day. When you have two running backs plus an O-line like we have, it's very hard to stop. I'm blessed to have those two guys.

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