UCLA 20-17 Iowa (Nov 8, 2024) Game Recap

PASADENA, Calif. — — UCLA knew it was in for a problem going through the nation’s second main rusher in Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson.

Not solely did the Bruins maintain Johnson to his lowest speeding efficiency of the season, however UCLA’s floor recreation lastly obtained out of first gear.

T.J. Harden had his first 100-yard speeding recreation of the season and Ethan Garbers threw two landing passes because the Bruins rallied for a 20-17 victory on Friday evening.

Carson Schwesinger had a pair of interceptions to assist UCLA win its third straight.

“We went into this week understanding it was a problem and we had been prepared for it,” Schwesinger mentioned.

Harden had 125 yards on 20 carries, the fourth time the junior has eclipsed the century mark in his profession. His 15-yard achieve up the center after the 2-minute timeout gave UCLA a primary down and put the sport away.

“I knew I needed to have a recreation like this. We noticed the chance we needed to run the ball towards them,” Harden mentioned. “We did an amazing job of constantly selecting up blocks.”

The Bruins had a 415-265 edge in complete yards, together with 211-80 speeding.

Johnson, who was averaging 142.1 speeding yards per recreation, had a season-low 49 yards on 18 carries.

“To me, in a nutshell, they ran the ball extraordinarily effectively, and we didn’t. Actually, I feel they performed in a means they wish to play,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz mentioned.

Quarterback Brendan Sullivan sprained his ankle within the third quarter after taking successful from UCLA linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo on a move that was picked off by Schwesinger. Jackson Stratton got here in and led the Hawkeyes on a 13-play TD drive, capped by Kamari Moulton’s 2-yard run off left sort out to tie it at 17-17 early within the fourth quarter.

Mateen Bhaghani’s 27-yard subject objective with 4:49 remaining put the Bruins up for good. Bhaghani additionally linked from 57 yards out early within the second quarter for the second-longest subject objective in class historical past.

“We got here out and actually executed the best way we needed to,” coach DeShaun Foster mentioned. “They took delight in desirous to outrush them and we did that.”

Garbers, who accomplished 21 of 34 passes for 204 yards, was capable of lead the Bruins (4-5, 3-4 Large Ten) to a victory regardless of three first-half turnovers. His two interceptions within the first quarter, together with one ultimately zone, resulted in 10 Iowa factors. The senior additionally had a fumble on the Iowa 3-yard line, which was recovered by Jaden Harrell ultimately zone because the Bruins got here away empty twice within the crimson zone through the second quarter.

Garbers rallied the Bruins with a pair of TD passes within the second quarter.

After Bhaghani’s first subject objective, Titus Mokiao-Atimalala tied it halfway by way of the second quarter on a 2-yard reception that was arrange by Schwesinger’s first decide on the Iowa 45. Garbers then linked with a wide-open Logan Loya for a 29-yard landing with 55 seconds remaining within the first half.

“Didn’t begin the sport how I needed to with the turnovers. We had been shifting the ball up and down the sphere effective. I knew all of the stuff was there and stored on trusting our guys,” Garbers mentioned.

Iowa took a 7-0 lead three minutes into the sport on Johnson’s 2-yard run. It was the primary time the Hawkeyes scored a landing on its opening drive this season.

It additionally was the junior’s twenty first landing of the season, setting Hawkeyes’ single-season data for touchdowns and factors.

“Clearly, a disappointing consequence for us. Simply obtained accomplished telling the crew principally, you realize, one factor about soccer, you usually get what you deserve, and we actually didn’t play effectively sufficient to anticipate to win tonight principally in any class,” Ferentz mentioned after Iowa fell to 6-4 and 4-3 within the convention. “So disappointing, and nothing actually clicked for us.”

The takeaway

Iowa: The Hawkeyes misplaced for under the third time in 22 video games in November courting again to 2019.

UCLA: After being 1-5 on the halfway level, the Bruins have hopes of getting a bowl bid with three straight wins. That will be fairly a turnaround after folks had been already expressing doubts about first-year coach Foster.

Up subsequent

Iowa: At Maryland on Nov. 23.

UCLA: At Washington subsequent Friday.

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