UCLA Strong Defense and Run Game Power Win Over Iowa, Extend Streak

UCLA continues its push for a bowl game after a slow start to the season.

In front of a homecoming crowd at the Rose Bowl, with fans split between UCLA blue and Iowa black. The Bruins powered past Iowa with a strong run game and solid defense.

UCLA (4-5 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) extended its winning streak to three games against conference teams, moving closer to bowl eligibility with a 20-17 win over Iowa in Pasadena. This marked DeShaun Foster’s first win at the Rose Bowl as head coach.

“Our season turned around after the Minnesota loss—it was a tough one that motivated the players,” Foster said. “I knew we had talent, but we needed to take it step by step. This is where it’s led us.”

Running back T.J. Harden, a key player in UCLA’s victory, expressed excitement about the team’s shot at a bowl game after their challenging start.

“It feels great, especially knowing we have what it takes to win,” Harden said. “We just have to bring it together every week. … We’re moving in the right direction.”

UCLA had to battle for this latest win.

With 4:59 remaining, Mateen Bhaghani kicked a 27-yard field goal to give the Bruins a lead they held onto until the end.

The Bruins’ defense secured the win with a critical third-down stop, pressuring Iowa quarterback Jackson Stratton into an incomplete pass with 4:04 left. Iowa (6-4, 4-3) was forced to punt, and UCLA gained two first downs to run out the clock and finish the game.

Iowa’s Drew Stevens nailed a 57-yard field goal late in the third quarter. But UCLA’s Bryan Addison was penalized for stepping on a Hawkeyes player while attempting to block the kick. Instead of leaving UCLA with a four-point lead, Iowa accepted the penalty, keeping their drive alive.

Starting quarterback Brendan Sullivan took multiple hits and was eventually subbed out during the Hawkeyes’ drive into the fourth quarter.

Fifth-string quarterback Jackson Stratton, recently promoted due to injuries, kept Iowa’s momentum going by completing two crucial third-down passes. Kamari Moulton capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 17 with 11:27 left in the fourth quarter.

UCLA, already among the most penalized teams in the country. Surpassed its season averages with nine penalties for 84 yards (season averages: eight penalties and 70.1 yards per game).

Despite these mistakes, the Bruins’ strong defense and effective ground game helped cover for the miscues throughout the game.

Iowa came into the game boasting the Big Ten’s best rushing offense, while UCLA ranked at the bottom. But on Friday night, the roles reversed as UCLA leaned on its trio of running backs—T.J. Harden, Jalen Berger, and Keegan Jones—to power the offense.

While Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, the nation’s second-leading rusher. And a midseason All-American, drew attention, UCLA found its own answer in a strong backfield performance.

UCLA’s running-back trio stole the show, with T.J. Harden rushing for 125 yards on 20 carries, while Keegan Jones added 38 yards and Jalen Berger contributed 30.

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“I knew I had to have a game like this,” Harden said.

Overall, UCLA outperformed Iowa on the ground, racking up 211 rushing yards.

“Our run game has been improving each week,” said coach DeShaun Foster. “We were fired up to face the nation’s No. 2 rusher, and the team took pride in out-rushing them—and we did that.”

UCLA’s defense, ranked No. 11 nationally, shut down Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, holding him to just 49 yards on 18 carries—well below his 142.1-yard average. Johnson’s only score was a two-yard touchdown in the first quarter, which set a new Iowa record for touchdowns in a season.

“That’s credit to the whole defense and the coaches for a great game plan,” said UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger. “We knew it was a challenge, and we were ready for it.”

UCLA’s defense kept up the pressure on Iowa, with Carson Schwesinger securing the first two interceptions of his career and Kain Medrano forcing another turnover by ripping the ball loose.

“We just needed to stay disciplined and stick to our game plan,” Schwesinger said. “It was about staying focused and not letting things get out of hand.”

Despite three turnovers and several penalties, UCLA went into halftime with a seven-point lead.

Ethan Garbers struggled early, throwing two interceptions—one on third down while scrambling from Iowa’s pass rush and the other near the goal line with defenders in his face. He also fumbled in the red zone.

Down 10-0, UCLA bounced back in the second quarter, outscoring Iowa 17-0.

Mateen Bhaghani nailed a 57-yard field goal—the second longest in school history—to put the Bruins on the board. Garbers followed with two touchdown passes: a two-yard pass to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala to tie the game and a 29-yard strike to Logan Loya to take the lead.

Garbers finished the game 21 for 34, with 204 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.