UCLA Football beats Rutgers, 35-32

UCLA (2-5, 1-4 Big Ten) defeated Rutgers (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) in the first-ever meeting between the teams. Redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers recorded 383 passing yards, the first time a UCLA quarterback eclipsed the 350-yard passing mark since Dorian Thompson-Robinson in 2020 (vs. USC, 364 yards).

“My players are resilient and they show that every game,” said the UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster“Ethan (Garbers) came out and had a really good game. I think those are all career highlights for him: completions, attempts, touchdowns and yards. So that was really huge. All three running backs scored a touchdown and they received I was just excited about the way they played (Linebacker Carson Schwesinger) got his 10th tackle, so he makes it five in a row. I'm just excited about the way this team played, you know? We were ahead by more than what the score showed, but the team kept fighting and I'm just happy that we continued to perform in the fourth quarter and get the win.”

The Bruins started strong, opening the action with a 75-yard drive that found the end zone in less than six minutes of play. UCLA needed 11 plays to go the distance on the opening drive; Garbers connected with redshirt junior wideout Logan Loya for a five-yard touchdown pass, putting UCLA up 7-0 early. Rutgers answered with a score of its own, tying the ball game with 4:43 on the clock. UCLA began moving down the field on its second drive, but the Bruins were forced to punt after stopping near half-court.

Rutgers saw little success early in the second quarter after UCLA downed its punt on the opposing 5-yard line. The UCLA offense was back on the field after the defensive unit stopped the Scarlet Knights at their midfield logo. Garbers completed a key third-down pass to redshirt junior Titus Mokiao-Atimalala which, after official assessment, was not quite a first. On a crucial fourth and one for the Bruins, the punt team remained on the UCLA sideline. Garbers tucked the football and pushed across the line to keep a Bruin drive alive and move the chains on the UCLA 20-yard line. Redshirt senior Keegan Jones and junior TJ Harden picked up back-to-back first downs for the Bruins as they marched to half court. Garbers made a 49-yard run down the sideline, eluding a Rutgers defender before taking him to the house; the rushing touchdown marked UCLA's longest streak of the season.

49 meters to the house @ethan_garbers3 ??

??:FS1#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/0JBUBrMjCg

UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 19, 2024

UCLA led 14-7 after sophomore kicker Mateen Bhaghani passed the extra point attempt. The Bruins held the Scarlet Knights to a field goal on Rutgers' two-minute drill attempt on the next drive. UCLA got the ball back with a minute and eight seconds left before halftime and was determined to attack. The Bruins started to get moving quickly before the mid-game break; Garbers hit senior Moliki Matavao for a 20-yard gain and a first down. Jones added another 18-yard reception to get out of bounds, and Loya gained 14 yards to move the chains again as the Bruins made their way to the rezone. UCLA lined up ready to find the end zone. Harden ran a seam route and the running back hauled in a 22-yard reception for a touchdown. The Bruins went 75 yards in 46 seconds for the halftime score and totaled 300 all-purpose yards at the break. UCLA led 21-10 at halftime.

The Bruins allowed the Scarlet Knights to score on their first drive of the second half, but stopped their two-point conversion attempt; UCLA received the next kickoff with a 21–16 lead. The Bruins were unable to capitalize on the momentum coming out of the half and went three-and-out on their first offensive drive. The Scarlet Knights split the uprights for a field goal and made it a two-point game, with UCLA up 21-19.

There was no denying UCLA, and the Bruins had a quick answer for the Big Ten foe on the East Coast. Garbers found Jones on the sideline, and the redshirt senior exploded for a 67-yard reception into the end zone.

.@Kans202 turn on the burners????

??:FS1#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/T0ArdvdksQ

UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 19, 2024

The two-play scoring drive featured UCLA's longest play of the season and marked the second drive in three attempts with a touchdown scored in less than a minute. The Bruin defense forced a three-and-out on the next Rutgers drive to give UCLA the ball back. Garbers stacked a pair of short passes and a six-yard rush to move the chains before the end of the third quarter.

The Bruins continued to move down the field; redshirt-senior Jalen Berger rushed for a first down to enter Rutgers territory. Garbers went back into the air to attack and found Matavao for a 20-yard reception. Berger, a New Jersey native, caught a 16-yard touchdown reception to score in his home state. UCLA extended its lead 35-19 with 12:13 remaining in the final quarter. Rutgers put together a six-play, 75-yard drive to answer again, but UCLA maintained a 10-point lead after another failed point-after attempt by the Scarlet Knights. The Bruins took four minutes off the clock on the next drive, but missed a long field goal attempt with 6:27 to go.

The Scarlet Knights almost took over half, but were unable to retain possession for long. Redshirt senior Bryan Addison lurked deep as Rutgers fired the pigskin to the sideline on third down; Bruin's defensive back jumped the passing lane for UCLA's first interception of the game. UCLA took possession with 5:25 left and erased two minutes before turning the ball over. Garbers grabbed a bag and fumbled with the football; Rutgers recovered the ball and started the drive at its own 42-yard line. The Scarlet Knights played with pace after recovering turnovers; Rutgers found its way into the end zone in 2:11 to close the gap.

UCLA led 35-32 and lined up and prepared for an onside kick attempt from Rutgers. Redshirt freshman Grant Gray secured the kick and initially took it all the way to the end zone for what would have been a final blow for the Scarlet Knights. The play was called back because the replay review showed that UCLA signaled for a fair catch. UCLA lined up in victory formation and kneeled the ball to secure the three-point conference win.

NEXT (in Nebraska Nov. 2)

UCLA returns to action after a bye week until the end of October. The Bruins head to Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday, Nov. 2, to play the Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. The match start time and television allocation have yet to be announced.