UCLA’s quest to scratch and claw its option to a bowl berth after a sluggish begin to the season continues.
In entrance of a Rose Bowl crowd break up 60-40 between UCLA blue and Iowa black throughout homecoming, the Bruins left the Hawkeyes black and blue due to a potent run sport and robust defensive effort.
UCLA (4-5 general, 3-4 Huge Ten) prolonged its three-game win streak towards convention opponents, defeating Iowa 20-17 in Pasadena.
With 4:59 left within the sport, Mateen Bhaghani’s 27-yard area purpose gave the Bruins a lead they didn’t give up.
UCLA coach DeShaun Foster, proper, and working again T.J. Harden rejoice after the group’s win over Iowa Friday on the Rose Bowl.
(Ryan Solar / Related Press)
The Bruins’ protection sealed the victory with a vital third-down cease, forcing Iowa quarterback Jackson Stratton to toss an incomplete go below stress with 4:04 remaining. Iowa (6-4, 4-3) punted and UCLA’s offense picked up two first downs earlier than working out the clock.
As soon as once more suffering from penalties, UCLA allowed Iowa to remain within the sport.
Iowa’s Drew Stevens hit a 57-yard area purpose late within the third quarter, however UCLA’s Bryan Addison was known as for a penalty for stepping on a Hawkeyes participant whereas making an attempt to dam the kick. The play would have left the Bruins with a four-point lead, however Iowa accepted the penalty and continued its march to the top zone.
Iowa beginning quarterback Brendan Sullivan took repeated hits and was changed within the lineup throughout the Hawkeyes drive that prolonged into the fourth quarter.
Stratton, the fifth-string quarterback who was on the scout group final week however was promoted due to accidents, hit passes to transform twice on third down and Kamari Moulton ran for a one-yard landing that tied the rating with 11:27 left within the fourth quarter.
Already some of the penalized groups within the nation, UCLA exceeded its season averages for penalties (eight) and penalty yardage (70.1 yards per sport), ending with 9 penalties for 84 yards.
UCLA’s protection and floor sport, nonetheless, helped masks a collection of errors all through the sport.
At halftime, UCLA held a seven-point lead regardless of three turnovers and quite a few penalties.
Ethan Garbers dedicated two interceptions to begin the sport — one on a 3rd down whereas scrambling from the Hawkeyes go rush and the opposite with defenders in his face close to the purpose line.
Later, he fumbled within the crimson zone.
UCLA working again Keegan Jones runs previous Iowa defensive again Jermari Harris on the Rose Bowl Friday.
(Ryan Solar / Related Press)
Trailing 10-0, UCLA turned issues round within the second quarter, outscoring Iowa 17-0.
Bhaghani hit a 57-yard area purpose — the second-longest at school historical past — to get the Bruins on the board. Garbers then added two landing passes — a two-yard go to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala to tie the rating adopted by a 29-yard strike to Logan Loya to take the lead.
Garbers completed 21-of-34 passing for 204 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Iowa entered the sport with the Huge Ten’s high dashing offense, whereas UCLA ranked final within the convention. However the roles reversed Friday night time, as UCLA thrived by feeding its working again trio of T.J. Harden, Jalen Berger and Keegan Jones.
UCLA receiver Kwazi Gilmer breaks a deal with by Iowa defensive again Deshaun Lee on the Rose Bowl Friday.
(Ryan Solar / Related Press)
Whereas all eyes had been on Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, the nation’s second-leading rusher and a midseason All-American, UCLA’s reply got here from its backfield.
The trio stole the present, with Harden dashing for 125 yards in 20 carries, Jones contributing 38 and Berger including 30 yards.
Total, UCLA ran the ball extra successfully than Iowa, ending with 211 dashing yards.
The Bruins’ protection, ranked No. 11 within the nation, shut down Johnson. UCLA restricted him to only 49 yards in 18 makes an attempt — properly under his 142.1 yards per sport common.
UCLA’s protection saved stress on Iowa all through the sport, with Carson Schwesinger grabbing two interceptions and Kain Medrano ripping the ball away to pressure one other turnover.
Johnson scored on a two-yard run within the first quarter, giving him the Iowa single-season landing report.
