Nico Iamaleava dashes for a touchdown in the thrilling Penn State vs UCLA game at the Rose Bowl.
The Penn State vs UCLA football clash on October 4, 2025, delivered one of the most shocking upsets in college football history. At the Rose Bowl, the winless UCLA Bruins stunned No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions with a thrilling 42-37 victory, ending their 0-4 skid and snapping a 16-game losing streak against top-10 teams. As 24.5-point underdogs, UCLA’s explosive offense overwhelmed Penn State’s defense, marking the biggest upset of the 2025 season by spread. This Penn State vs UCLA game highlighted resilience under interim leadership and exposed vulnerabilities for the Nittany Lions after their loss to Oregon.
DDS 🤝 Cliff#WeAre | LIVE on @CBSSports
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 4, 2025
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Penn State entered with high expectations, boasting a defense that limited opponents to 274 yards per game and an offense averaging 39 points. Yet, UCLA, reeling from firing head coach DeShaun Foster and coordinators, found spark in quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s dual-threat prowess. The Bruins scored on their first five drives, building a 27-7 halftime lead with 370 yards of offense. Penn State’s Drew Allar struggled early, managing just 68 passing yards before halftime, while UCLA’s ground attack racked up 280 yards total.
Key Moments in the Penn State vs UCLA Thriller
The game’s turning points defined the Penn State vs UCLA upset. UCLA recovered an onside kick early, maintaining possession and momentum. Iamaleava dazzled with a 52-yard rush in the third quarter, setting up a touchdown that extended the lead. Penn State mounted a comeback, scoring 30 second-half points including a blocked punt recovery for a touchdown, closing to within six. However, UCLA responded with methodical drives, converting 10 of 16 third downs.
BIG play from Drew Allar to pick up the first. @PennStateFball punches it in on the next play. pic.twitter.com/94mPzMTltm
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 4, 2025
In the final minutes, leading 42-35, UCLA’s Scooter Jackson stuffed Allar on 4th-and-2, forcing a turnover on downs with 37 seconds left. The Bruins then took an intentional safety to make it 42-37, running out the clock on Penn State’s desperate drive. This sequence sealed the win, the first for a 0-4 or worse team against a top-10 opponent since 1985. Earlier, a fourth-quarter offside penalty on Penn State kept a crucial UCLA drive alive on 4th-and-1.
Standout Players and Strategies in Penn State vs UCLA
Nico Iamaleava emerged as the hero in the Penn State vs UCLA battle, completing 17-of-24 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 128 yards and three scores—five total touchdowns, a career high. His timely throws and elusiveness tormented Penn State’s defense, coordinated by Jim Knowles. Interim offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel’s calls unlocked UCLA’s attack, previously averaging just 14.2 points per game.
For Penn State, Drew Allar finished 19-for-26 for 200 yards and two touchdowns, plus 78 rushing yards, showing resilience. Kaytron Allen added two rushing scores, but the Nittany Lions’ fumble by Luke Reynolds early in the second half stalled momentum. Injuries sidelined key players like Tony Rojas, impacting the defense. UCLA’s interim coach Tim Skipper praised his team’s heart, crediting big-time plays from big-time players.
The Aftermath and Broader Impact of Penn State vs UCLA
The Penn State vs UCLA upset reverberated through college football. For UCLA, now 1-4, it avoids a winless season and boosts morale heading to Michigan State. Their first top-10 home win since 2007 signals potential under new leadership. Fans stormed the field in celebration, turning the Rose Bowl into a party.
Penn State drops to 3-2, likely exiting the AP Top 25 after back-to-back losses, jeopardizing playoff hopes. Coach James Franklin faces scrutiny, with “Fire Franklin” chants echoing. The Nittany Lions host Northwestern next, needing answers on focus and execution. Linebacker Amare Campbell admitted a lack of focus contributed to the defeat.
This Penn State vs UCLA game underscores football’s unpredictability. UCLA’s grit under pressure exposed Penn State’s flaws, reminding everyone that no outcome is guaranteed. As the season unfolds, both teams carry lessons: UCLA builds momentum, while Penn State rebuilds confidence. College football thrives on such chaos, proving underdogs can roar.
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