UCLA Football Staves Off the Hawkeye’s Hot Start for Third Straight Win
The Bruins (4-5, 3-4) opened their bout against the Iowa Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3) in the worst possible manner, as Quarterback Ethan Garbers threw an interception on the first drive, his first since the Bruins’ home loss to Minnesota 17-21. Garbers’ blunder led to a Hawkeye’s touchdown on their opening drive, and the Bruins’ looked dead to rights before the conclusion of the inaugural quarter.
However, this all changed once Kicker Mateen Bhaghani drilled a 57-yard field that brought the score to 3-10, with the Bruins only trailing by a touchdown. Bhagnani’s field goal placed him second among all Bruin kickers for longest field goal made, where he sits behind Ka’imi Fairbarn. This historic moment marked the turning point of the game for the Bruins.
On the next Hawkeye’s drive, Linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who currently leads the Big Ten in tackles, intercepted Quarterback Brendan Sullivan. This would translate to a two-yard receiving touchdown for Receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, bringing the score to 10-10. Schwesinger would compile two interceptions on the night.
Looking to counter this Bruins surge, the Hawkeyes marched to midfield, but their touchdown hopes were dashed by brute strength. Linebacker Kain Medrano, who stripped the football from the hands of Brendan Sullivan, finished the game leading the Bruins in total tackles and played an instrumental role in shutting down Iowa’s potent rushing attack.
Unfortunately, turnovers continued to plague the Bruins, since Garbers fumbled the football in the endzone, and the Hawkeyes regained possession. The fumble was Garbers’ third turnover of the game.
The Bruins’ defense was able to stall Iowa’s offense for the rest of the first half, and the Bruins’ offense would capitalize on a 29-yard touchdown from Receiver Logan Loya for Bruins first lead of the game, bringing the score to 17-10 at the end of the first half.
Throughout the second half, the Bruins’ rush defense continued to shut down Heisman Trophy candidate Kaleb Johnson. He would finish the game with only 49 yards on 18 carries. Defensive End Femi Oladejo also played a pivotal role in wreaking havoc on Iowa’s rushing attack, with four tackles for loss and two sacks.
Despite Iowa’s one-yard touchdown from Running Back Kamari Moulton early in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 17, another field goal from Mateen Bhaghani late in the fourth quarter pushed the Bruins over the edge, and they were able to salt the Hawkeyes away for a 20-17 victory at the Rose Bowl. This was the first home win for the Bruins of the season.
The Bruins, on the cusp of clinching a bowl game, will look to continue their winning ways in Seattle this weekend, as they travel to face the Washington Huskies (5-5, 3-4).
