Minnesota’s second-half comeback seals UCLA’s fifth straight loss
If there was ever a time for UCLA to turn around its season, it was against Minnesota in the Rose Bowl.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, the return of Ethan Garbers, who missed last week’s game against Penn State because of injury, wasn’t enough to halt their downward spiral.
In a hard-fought contest, UCLA failed to secure its first Big Ten Conference win in school history, losing 21-17 to Minnesota on its home field Saturday evening.
Despite taking a 17-14 lead in the fourth quarter on Garbers’ 42-yard connection with J.Michael Sturdivant, the Bruins couldn’t fend off a Minnesota rally.
Ethan Garbers ends game with interception in the end zone
Minnesota 21, UCLA 17, end of the fourth quarter.
UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.
The Bruins have 27 seconds left and two timeouts.
Ethan Garbers left a collapsing pocket and tossed the ball out of bounds with 21 seconds left. The play was under review to determine whether Garbers was across the 25 when he threw the ball away. It was deemed an illegal forward pass and UCLA loss five yards and a down.
Garbers’ next pass intended for Logan Loya was incomplete.
On third-and-14, Garbers pass ed to J.Michael Sturdivant for 13 yards. Garbers then passed to Loya for 17 yards.
On first down at the Minnesota 49 and seven seconds left, Garbers heaved deep to the end zone and the ball was intercepted by Koi Perich to seal the Golden Gophers’ win.
Minnesota scores a touchdown with 32 seconds left
Minnesota 21, UCLA 17, 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota started on its 39 with 2:20 left in the fourth quarter.
Max Brosmer had time to scan the field passed to Jameson Geers for 13 yards.
The two-minute timeout was then triggered. Minnesota has used all its timeouts, while UCLA has three remaining.
Brosmer again faced little pressure and passed to Daniel Jackson for a 27-yard gain.
On first down at the UCLA 21, Brosmer passed to Elijah Spencer for eight yards with 1:41 left on the clock. Brosmer faced more pressure and threw the ball away with 1:08 left. On third-and-two, Brosmer faked the handoff to his left and tossed to his right to Lemeke Brockington for a four-yard gain.
On first-and-goal at the UCLA 9, Darius Taylor ran for no gain. UCLA was called for delay of game for not letting an offensive player get up.
On second-and-goal at the UCLA 4, Brosmer tosses an incomplete pass intended for Jackson with 32 seconds left.
On third-and-goal at the UCLA 4, DeShaun Foster called a timeout.
Brosmer passed to Darius Taylor for a touchdown with 32 seconds left. Minneosta then hit the extra point.
UCLA goes three-and-out, putting pressure on its defense
UCLA 17, Minnesota 14, 2:20 left in the fourth quarter.
UCLA started on its three-yard line after the punt.
T.J. Harden ran for three yards and Minnesota called timeout with 2:40 remaining. On second-and-seven, Harden ran for no gain. Minnesota used it second timeout with 2:37 remaining.
On third-and-seven, Garbers passed to Moliki Matavao for six yards. Minnesota used its third timeout with 2:29 remaining.
On fourth-and-one on the UCLA 12, Koi Perich returned the ball three yards and was tackled at the Minnesota 39.
UCLA defense protects its lead and forced Minnesota to punt
UCLA 17, Minnesota 14, 2:44 left in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota started on its 25 after the touchback.
Max Brosmer passed for 10 yards. Darius Taylor ran for two yards. Brosmer ran for five yards. On third-and-three, Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for seven yards.
On first down at the Minnesota 49, Brosmer’s pass intended for Jackson was ruled incomplete on the field. The play was reviewed. The officials upheld the ruling on the field.
On second-and-10, Brosmer passed to Marcus Major for no gain. Brosmer’s next pass was for four yards and Minnesota was forced to punt on a fourth-and-six at the UCLA 47.
The ball was downed the UCLA 3, pinning the Bruins against their end zone.
Ethan Garbers connects on 42-yard touchdown pass
UCLA 17, Minnesota 14, 6:54 left in the fourth quarter.
UCLA started on its 11.
Ethan Garbers scrambled for 10 yards. T.J. Harden ran for no gain. Garbers tossed a screen pass to Harden and he worked to get seven yards. On third-and-three at the UCLA 28, Garber passed to J.Michael Sturdivant for four yards and the first down.
Keegan Jones ran for one yard. Garbers then passed to Logan Loya for nine yards.
Jalen Berger ran for two yards. Garbers then passed to Sturdivant for 14 yards.
Garbers passed to Sturdivant for a 42-yard touchdown. UCLA’s Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.
UCLA defense forces Minnesota to punt
Minnesota 14, UCLA 10, 12:38 left in the fourth quarter.
On first down on the Minnesota 38, Marcus Major ran for two yards. Carson Schwesinger sacked Max Brosmer for a loss of nine yards on the next play. On third-and-17 from the Minnesota 31, Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for 10 yards.
Minnesota punted and Logan Loya called for a fair catch at the UCLA 18. The Bruins were offsides and lost five yards.
On fourth-and-two at the Minnesota 45, the Golden Gophers punted again and Loya took a fair catch at the Bruins’ 11.
UCLA finishes miserable third quarter
Minnesota 14, UCLA 10, end of third
Minnesota started on its 14.
Max Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for 12 yards. His next deep pass was incomplete. Brosmer then passed to Darius Taylor for 12 yards as time expired in the third quarter.
UCLA punts again as Ethan Garbers continues to face pressure
Minnesota 14, UCLA 10, 1:25 left in the third quarter
UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.
Jalen Berger ran for a loss of oneyard. Berger ran for four yards. On third-and-seven on the UCLA 28, Garbers was pressured and passed to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for eight yards and a first down.
Berger ran for no gain. Garbers passed to Moliki Matavao for nine yards. A Minnesota injury triggered a timeout. On third-and-one, Berger ran for four yards.
Berger ran for seven yards and another yard before Ethan Garbers was sacked for a loss of five yards on third-and-two on the Minnesota 43.
UCLA punted and downed the ball on the Minnesota 14-yard line.
Minnesota makes most of UCLA interception, scores
Minnesota 14, UCLA 10, 7:16 left in the third quarter
Minnesota took over on the UCLA 31 after the interception.
Max Brosmer’s deep pass was incomplete. Darius Taylor ran for three yards. UCLA’s Siale Taupaki was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for trying to pull Minnesota players off his teammate.
On first down at the UCLA 20, Brosmer passed to Taylor for one yard. On second down, Brosmer’s pass was incomplete but UCLA was called for pass interference. DeShaun Foster was frustrated with officials and questioned the back-to-back flags.
On first-and-goal at the 4, Taylor ran for three yards. On second-and-goal, Taylor ran for a loss of one. On third-and-goal on the UCLA 2, Taylor tumbled into the end zone.
UCLA was called for unecessary roughness and Minnesota will kick off from its 50 rather than the 35.
Minnesota hit the extra point.
Ethan Garbers tosses another interception
UCLA 10, Minnesota 0, 9:45 left in the third quarter
UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.
T.J. Harden ran six yards. Garbers was under pressure when he delivered his next pass intended for Moliki Matavao, but it was intercepted by Koi Perich. Officials reviewed the call and determined it stands.
Minnesota took over on the UCLA 31.
Minnesota scores its first touchdown and puts pressure on UCLA
UCLA 10, Minnesota 0, 10:33 left in the third quarter
Minnesota started on UCLA’s 46 after the punt, its best field position of the game.
Max Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for nine yards. Brosmer’s next pass intended for Kaylin Moore was broken up, but UCLA’s Jaylin Davies was called for pass interference, moving the ball 15 yards.
On first down at the UCLA 15, Darius Taylor ran for one yard. Brosmer passed to Jameson Geers for two yards. And Brosmer connected with Elijah Spencer for a 12-yard touchdown. The Golden Gophers hit the extra point.
UCLA offense stalls on first drive of third quarter
UCLA 10, Minnesota 0, 13:14 left in the third quarter
UCLA started on its 12 after the Bruins were called for holding on the kickoff return.
Ethan Garbers tossed an incomplete pass. Garbers passed ot Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for three yards, fumbles the ball and recovers it for no gain.
On third-and-seven at the UCLA 15, Garbers was sacked for a loss of seven.
UCLA punted and the ball was downed at the Bruins’ 46.
UCLA adds field goal before time expires in first half
UCLA 10, Minnesota 0, end of the the second quarter
Minnesota started on its 23.
Max Brosmer’s deep pass up the right sideline fell out of bounds and incomplete. Brosmer passed for three yards. On third-and-seven, Brosmer passed and was tackled for no gain but UCLA was called offsides. On third-and-two, Darius Taylor avoided a tackle for a loss and ran for three yards and a first down.
After the two-minute timeout, Brosmer tried another deep shot along the right sideline, but it was broken up by K.J. Wallace. On second-and-10, Brosmer ran for eight yards. On third-and-two, Carson Schwesinger sacked Brosmer for a loss of nine yards.
On fourth-and-11 on the Minnesota 33, Minnesota called timeout. The Gophers then punted.
Logan Loya returned it 18 yards to the UCLA 37.
Ethan Garbers threw to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for 13 yards and he stepped out with 41 seconds left. Garbers ducked out of a collapsing pocket and ran for two yards before stepping out with 34 seconds left on the clock. T.J. Harden broke three tackles for a 32-yard gain.
On first down at the Minnesota 16, Garbers’ pass out of the end zone was incomplete. On second down, Garbers’ pass along the ride side of the end zone was incomplete. With fix seconds left, Mateem Bhaghani hit a 34-yard field goal to extend the UCLA lead as time expired.
UCLA offense stalls again
UCLA 7, Minnesota 0, 5:11 left in the second quarter
UCLA started on its 25.
Ethan Garbers passed to Bryce Pierre for five yards. Garbers’ next pass was incomplete. On third-and-five, Garbers was sacked for a loss of five yards.
UCLA punted and Koi Perich returned the ball one yard to the Minnesota 33. During the return, Minnesota was called for holding and lost 10 yards.
Minnesota misses 43-yard field goal
UCLA 7, Minnesota 0, 5:11 left in the second quarter
Minnesota started on its 28 after the targeting call on UCLA.
Darius Taylor ran for six yards. Marcus Major then ran for 12 yards. Max Brosmer passed to Frank Beirman for 13 yards.
Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for four yards. Bryan Addison was called for targeting, but the call was overturned.
On second-and-six at the UCLA 37, Taylor ran for no gain. On third-and-six, Brosmer passed to Jackson for six yards.
On first down at UCLA 31 with 6:53 left in the second quarter, DeShaun Foster called timeout and appealed Brosmer’s complete pass. The call on the field was upheld.
On first down, Brosmer was under heavy pressure from Jay Toia and eventually threw the ball away. Taylor ran for one yard. On third-and-nine at the UCLA 30, Brosmer passed to Elijah Spencer for five yards.
On fourth-and-four, Dragan Kesich missed a 43-yard field goal.
UCLA goes three-and-out
UCLA 7, Minnesota 0, 10:26 left in the second quarter
The UCLA offense is off to a shaky start in the second quarter, with Ethan Garbers nearly tossing a second interception.
UCLA started on its 46 after the punt.
Keegan Jones ran for a loss of one yard. Ethan Garbers passed for one yard to Kwazi Gilmer. On third-and-10, Danny Striggow was untouched as he surged forward to tackle Ethan Garbers and the Golden Gophers nearly intercepted it.
UCLA punted and Koi Perich was immediately tackled by Bruin Devin Kirkwood. The play was reviewed by officials and Kwazi Gilmer was called for targeting.
UCLA defense picks up stop after Bruins’ turnover
UCLA 7, Minnesota 0, 13:42 left in the second quarter
Minnesota started on its 14 after the Ethan Garbers interception.
Max Brosmer was sacked for a loss of two yards. Lemeke Brockington ran for a loss of one. On third-and-13 at the Minnesota 11, Brosmer had time and connected with Cristian Driver, but officials determined it was not a catch. Minnesota took a timeout to challenge the ruling on the field. The call was upheld and Minnesota was forced to punt on fourth-and-13.
Logan Loya took a fair catch on its 46.
Ethan Garbers tosses an interception
UCLA 7, Minnesota 0, 13:42 left in the second quarter
UCLA faced first down on the Minnesota 45 to open the second quarter.
Ethan Garbers was hit as he threw but still connected with to T.J. Harden for an 18-yard gain.
Harden ran for four yards. UCLA had to call a timeout as the play clock was expiring and the alignment was not set. On second-and-six at the Minnesota 23, Garbers’ pass was off target and incomplete. On third-and-six, Garbers’ pass was was deflected at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Cody Lindenberg at the Minnesota 14. He didn’t return the ball and the Golden Gophers’ sideline was warned for encroaching on the field while celebrating.
Minnesota takes over at its 14.
UCLA driving as first quarter ends
UCLA 7, Minnesota 0, end of the first quarter
UCLA started on its 9 after the punt.
Jalen Berger ran for three yards. Ethan Garbers passed to J.Michael Sturdivant for five yards. On third-and-two, Garbers passed to Sturdivant for seven yards.
On first down at the UCLA 24, Garbers dove out of the collapsing pocket and ran for five yards. Garbers passed to Moliki Matavao for eight yards and a first down.
Amid pressure, Garbers passed to Carter Shaw for 18 yards as time expired in the first quarter.
UCLA defense forces another Minnesota punt
UCLA 7, Minnesota 0, 3:29 left in the first quarter
Minnesota started on its 24 after a 21-yard kickoff return.
Marcus Major ran for four yards. Max Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for five yards. On third-and-one, Darius Taylor ran for five yards and the first down.
Brosmer passed to Jameson Geers for nine yards. Brosmer passed to Major for a four-yard gain.
On first down at the UCLA 49, Minnesota was called for false start. On first-and-15, Brosmer passed to Jackson for 10 yards. On second-and-five, Darius Taylor ran for no gain. On third-and-five, Brosmer passed to Jackson for no gain. On fourth-and-five at the UCLA 44, Minnesota punted. Logan Loya signaled for a fair catch.
Ethan Garbers leads UCLA to a score on its opening drive
UCLA 7, Minnesota 0, 8:49 left in the first quarter
UCLA 41 started on its 41 after the punt return.
Ethan Garbers started at quarterback after missing the previous game due to injury.
T.J. Harden ran for no gain. Garbers then passed to Logan Loyan for five yards. On third-and-five, Garbers passed to J.Michael Sturdivant for 22 yards.
Garbers passed to Jack Pedersen for five yards. Garbers passed quickly along the rigth sideline to Kwazi Gilmer for eight yards. Minnesota’s Justin Walley was injured on the play, triggering a timeout. Walley later returned to the game.
On first down on the Minnesota 19, Harden ran for two yards. Garbers then scrambled for a gain of one yard, taking a hard hit as he was pushed out of bounds. On third-and-seven, Garbers was hit, but he held on to pass to Logan Loya for a 14-yard gain.
On first-and-goal at the Minnesota three, Garbers’ pass was incomplete. Harden was stuffed for a loss of one yard, but Minnesota was called for illegal hands to the face. On first-and-goal on the Minnesota 1, Keegan Jones took a direct snap and scored the one-yard touchdown. Matheen Bhaghani hit the extra point. Minnesota was called for lining up in the neutral zone, but UCLA declined the penalty.
UCLA defense forces a punt
UCLA 0, Minnesota 0, 14:03 left in the first quarter
Minnesota started on its 25 after the touchback.
Darius Taylor ran for a one-yard loss. Max Brosmer’s pass was on target but was dropped. And Brosmer’s next pass was incomplete.
Minnesota punted and Logan Loya returned it 12 yards to the UCLA 41.
And we’re off ...
UCLA 0, Minnesota 0, start of first quarter
UCLA versus Minnesota is under way at the Rose Bowl.
The Bruins won the toss and elected to kick off.
Minnesota did not return the ball and starts on its 25.
Carter Shaw never got to play for his dad at Stanford, only impress him at UCLA
Lingering on the field after the game ended, everything that just unfolded swirling in his head, UCLA wide receiver Carter Shaw received instant analysis from a football savant and one of the top coaches in Pac-12 history.
You know, his dad.
David Shaw told his son to focus on what he did well against Louisiana State, the highlight reverse that he ran and the routes that he won against big-time cornerbacks, even if only one pass that fell incomplete came his way.
It was another confidence boost for the redshirt freshman who’s continuing to absorb fatherly advice while forging his own identity. Sometimes, a reminder of why he’s sticking with this game as a preferred walk-on just fighting for opportunities is all Carter needs.
‘I just don’t want to let down this team’: Ikaika Malloe is driven to fix UCLA’s defense
It started as the same unremarkable sequence that materializes dozens of times a season on UCLA’s football practice field, a coach lingering to speak with reporters and engage in the usual give and take.
Questions were asked about simplifying the defense and putting more pressure on the quarterback. Answers were given about accountability, attention to detail and putting the right defenders in position to make plays.
Then the coach started blinking tears, his voice catching, his words a chore. Everything routine about the exchange transformed into something else entirely.
How UCLA’s Niki Prongos went from unknown to NFL prospect in less than 10 games
In high school, Niki Prongos would hear the play call and wonder what it meant.
When he got to UCLA, the offensive lineman went over the playbook and heard teammates talking about inside zone, a popular run play used at every level of football.
“I was like, what the heck is inside zone?” Prongos recalled with a laugh.
More than two years after he entered college not knowing much about football, Prongos has mastered more than concepts. The redshirt sophomore who has participated in only nine games since he started playing the sport has become a maestro of might.
A run for the Rose Bowl: Big Ten fans flocking to Pasadena after many years away
It’s a comeback story years, sometimes decades in the making.
Indiana hasn’t played in the Rose Bowl since its futile attempt to stop USC running back O.J. Simpson on Jan. 1, 1968, making the team’s return this week to face UCLA something of a now-or-never pilgrimage for those who played in that game.
“We have a very thin group of guys who are still around,” said Harry Gonso, the Hoosiers’ quarterback that day 56 years ago, “if you understand what I mean.”
Minnesota was once such a Rose Bowl regular — appearing in the New Year’s Day game as the Big Ten champion in 1961 and ’62 — that Dave Mona, then a freshman writing for the school’s student newspaper, decided not to splurge on the $49 round-trip train fare to Pasadena to attend the latter game.
Can UCLA salvage its season? Five things to watch when the Bruins face Minnesota
It has come to this for UCLA under DeShaun Foster: The Bruins need to beat a .500 team in their home stadium to have any realistic chance of salvaging their coach’s debut season.
So far, the “Fos Era” has produced shockingly few highlights besides a feel-good offseason. After struggling to beat Hawaii in its opener, UCLA has lost four consecutive games, albeit against teams with a combined 20-1 record.
There was promise shown in the first half against Louisiana State, the middle two quarters against Oregon and the first half against Penn State.
At some point, the Bruins are going to need something to hold onto besides hope born from a few stretches of each game.
UCLA vs. Minnesota: How to watch the game, plus betting odds
UCLA (1-4) will look to snap its four-game losing streak against Minnesota (3-3) at the Rose Bowl at 6 p.m. PDT. The game will air on the Big Ten Network and will be available on 570 AM in the Los Angeles area.
Here are the betting odds for the game:
