UCLA is now off to its best start since the 2005 season following a 28-10 win for the ninth-ranked Bruins over visiting Michigan State on Saturday.
PASADENA, Calif. — Bob Chesney has all the answers as UCLA continues to roll in his first season at the helm. The Bruins reached 7-0 for the first time since the early 2000s following a 28-10 win over Michigan State on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
It didn’t always look pretty, but UCLA pulled away in the second half to earn the double-digit win over the Spartans. The Bruins (7-0, 5-0 Big Ten) leaned on the ground game once again with strong contributions by the defense to secure the victory.
The Bruins have been a standout team in the fourth quarter so far this season. UCLA came into Saturday’s game as the FBS leader in points fourth quarter per game and scoring margin. However, the third quarter is when the game changed against Michigan State.
Following an injury scare to quarterback Ty Dieffenbach to end the first half, UCLA put together two scoring drives in the third. The Bruins needed just four plays to go 75 yards to open the third quarter capped by a 63-yard touchdown from Dieffenbach to receiver Brian Rowe Jr.
The touchdown gave UCLA a 21-7 lead, which it then added to with a rushing score from Anthony Woods later in the quarter. That would be all the cushion the Bruins would need to secure the win.
Chesney’s squad came out a bit sluggish early in the game and went down early, 7-0. Michigan State quarterback Kayd Coffman hit Kenneth Williams for a 14-yard touchdown with just over 5 minutes to play in the first quarter.
Turnover Battle Works In Favor Of UCLA vs. Michigan State
Saturday’s matchup between UCLA and Michigan State (2-6, 0-5) was a bit sloppy in the first half. Each team had two turnovers apiece in the opening 30 minutes, but only the Bruins were able to take advantage of both chances. They turned the takeaways into 14 points while MSU was only able to muster one touchdown off two lost UCLA fumbles.
Dieffenbach was actually able to save a touchdown by disrupting a Michigan State fumble return by safety Nikai Martinez. The Bruins instantly answered with an interception two plays later when LB Donavyn Pellot picked off Coffman. UCLA turned that into a 14-7 lead in the second quarter on a 1-yard rushing score for running back Wayne Knight.
The UCLA defense as a whole was impressive once again Saturday in guiding the Bruins to a win. The Bruins now have 22 takeaways on the season, which ranks first in the Big Ten. Their three additional turnovers Saturday moved the Bruins ahead of New Mexico for first among all FBS teams.
It wasn’t just that UCLA was able to take the ball away that mattered against the Spartans on Saturday. UCLA was able to limit the MSU offense for most of the day, especially in the second half. The Spartans had fewer than 100 total yards entering the fourth quarter.
They finished the day with just 156 total yards including just 47 yards rushing in the loss. The Spartans were held to just 13 total yards in the second and third quarters combined.
Ground Game Plays Pivotal Role
The Bruins have been the top rushing team in the Big Ten this season, and their work on the ground continued Saturday. Three different players scored rushing touchdowns including Woods and Jaivian Thomas to go along with Knight. The James Madison transfer continues to lead the Big Ten with 12 rushing touchdowns now.
Knight was dinged up in Saturday’s game allowing Woods and Thomas the opportunity to showcase their talent. Woods and Thomas both had fumbles in the game, but their contributions on the ground didn’t get overlooked. The team accounted for 245 yards on the ground as a whole including 114 from Woods.
Woods contributed with 112 yards rushing on 14 carries to go with his score. In all, UCLA accounted for 443 total yards while controlling time of possession 35:58 to 24:02 against the Spartans.
The UCLA defense put the clamps on Michigan State’s running game by keeping it under 50 yards rushing on the day.
Dieffenbach Overcomes Injury Scare
Late in the second half Dieffenbach sent a scare into UCLA fans. The Bruins’ starting QB went down clutching his leg after being sacked and suffocated by three defenders as he hit the ground. UCLA is already without starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, and it certainly did not look good for Dieffenbach as he left the field with help.
Instead of another “here we go again” moment, the Calabasas, California native bounced back right away out of the half with his big touchdown pass to Rowe. It helped the Bruins and their fans breathe a sigh of relief. Dieffenbach finished the game with 198 yards passing on 18 completions to go with 17 yards on the ground.
It wasn’t a superb effort, but his ability to bounce back throughout the day helped put the Bruins in position to win Saturday.
UCLA next takes a break from Big Ten play to host Nevada next week. The Spartans have a bye week before facing rival Michigan on Nov. 7.
