In a thrilling game on November 8, UCLA clinched its third consecutive win, defeating Iowa 20-17 with a standout performance from Ethan Garbers, who threw two touchdowns, and Carson Schwesinger, who recorded two crucial interceptions. The Bruins’ defense held Iowa’s top rusher, Kaleb Johnson, to a season-low 49 yards.
Garbers and Harden Lead Bruins' Offense, While Schwesinger Anchors Defense to Shut Down Iowa
UCLA won its third straight game on November 8, defeating Iowa 20–17, behind two touchdowns from Ethan Garbers and two interceptions from Carson Schwesinger, per ESPN.
Garbers led the Bruins (4-5, 3-4 Big Ten) to victory by completing 21 of 34 passes for 204 yards and avoiding three first-half turnovers. UCLA rebounded from missed opportunities in the red zone, even though Garbers made two interceptions in the first quarter, which gave Iowa 10 points, and Jaden Harrell recovered a fumble at the Iowa 3-yard line.
T.J. Harden, a running back, had a massive contribution by rushing for 125 yards on 20 carries, his first 100-yard performance of the season and his fourth overall.
In addition to recording his first two interceptions of the season, Schwesinger, who leads the Big Ten with an average of 10.6 tackles per game, assisted the Bruins defense in holding Iowa's star running back, Kaleb Johnson, to just 49 yards on 18 attempts. Johnson, who leads the country in rushing, had a season-low number of yards. He set an Iowa single-season record for both touchdowns and scoring with his 21st of the season, a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
After this defeat, Iowa's record is 4-3 in conference play and 6-4 overall.
UCLA Edges Out Iowa as Bhaghani’s Late Field Goal Seals a Dramatic Win
After being struck by UCLA linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo in the third quarter, Iowa quarterback Brendan Sullivan left the game. Early in the fourth quarter, Jackson Stratton took over and led Iowa on a 13-play touchdown drive culminating in a 2-yard run by Kamari Moulton, tying the score at 17–17.
Mateen Bhaghani's 27-yard field goal with 4:49 left gave UCLA the victory. In the second quarter, Bhaghani also made the second-longest field goal in school history, 57 yards long.
When Zach Lutmer intercepted Garbers at the UCLA 41-yard line, giving Iowa a short field, UCLA suffered an early loss in the game. Iowa's first opening-drive touchdown of the season came when Johnson scored. After Quinn Schulte made an interception in the end zone, Drew Stevens added a 24-yard field goal.
UCLA came back to take a 17–10 halftime advantage. Schwesinger's first interception at the Iowa 45 set the stage for Titus Mokiao-Atimalala's 2-yard touchdown reception after Bhaghani's first field goal. Then, with 55 seconds left in the half, Garbers found Logan Loya for a 29-yard touchdown.
