MINNEAPOLIS, MN — UCLA found another way to win when the pressure was highest, using two explosive fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull away from Minnesota for a 34-20 victory Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium and preserve its unbeaten season.
The No. 5 Bruins improved to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in Big Ten play, reaching nine victories without a loss for the first time since 1998 and only the fourth time in program history. First-year coach Bob Chesney continued his remarkable start in Westwood, as UCLA remained the Big Ten’s lone undefeated team.
With the game tied at 17 early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Ty Dieffenbach connected with Aidan Mizell for a 75-yard touchdown on UCLA’s first offensive play of the drive. The Bruins struck again on their next offensive possession, with the same combination producing another 75-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 31-20.
Dieffenbach finished with a career-high 303 passing yards and three touchdowns, completing just eight of 16 attempts. Mizell caught two passes for 150 yards, with both receptions going for touchdowns.
“We knew the whole game we were able to get behind the DBs. It was just waiting for the right time to call it, and I think Coach called it perfectly at the right time back-to-back to give us momentum,” Mizell said.
UCLA opened the game with a 10-0 lead. Mateen Bhaghani connected on a 37-yard field goal before running back Wayne Knight scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. Knight finished with 109 rushing yards on 18 carries and recorded his 15th touchdown of the season.
Minnesota responded with 10 unanswered points to tie the game before halftime. The Bruins regained the advantage in the third quarter when Dieffenbach found Noah Fox-Flores for a 27-yard touchdown, making it 17-10.
The Gophers answered with a touchdown to even the score at 17, setting up UCLA’s decisive fourth-quarter response.
Chesney credited his players for staying composed and delivering when opportunities came their way.
“They handled their business properly. Guys that had to step up, stepped up,” Chesney said. “They battled the entire time and never, ever wavered.”
UCLA’s defense also made key plays down the stretch, limiting Minnesota to 296 total yards and just 91 rushing yards. Linebacker Jalen Woods led the Bruins with 11 tackles, while defensive back Scooter Jackson recorded an interception in the fourth quarter.
Bhaghani added a 36-yard field goal to complete the scoring. UCLA finished with 466 total yards and continued its strong second-half play, outscoring Minnesota 24-10 after the break.
The Bruins return to the Rose Bowl on Friday, Nov. 13, to host Illinois as they look to extend their historic winning streak and remain in control of their Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff hopes.
