Penn State Prevails Over UCLA Despite Bruins’ Progress

In a closely watched college football matchup, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) showed marked improvement but ultimately fell to the seventh-ranked Penn State University, with a final score of 27-11, on October 5, 2024. The game, held at Beaver Stadium, saw UCLA’s quarterback Justyn Martin make his first collegiate start in place of the injured Ethan Garbers.

UCLA, coming off a multi-game touchdown drought, managed to put an end to that streak late in the fourth quarter. With just 18 seconds remaining, Martin connected with Logan Loya for a one-yard touchdown, marking the Bruins’ sole touchdown of the game. Martin then executed a successful two-point conversion pass to Keegan Jones. This drive was a highlight in a contest otherwise dominated by Penn State.

Penn State, leading throughout the match, started strongly in the second quarter after a touchdown from Drew Allar to Tyler Warren. Allar was a key playmaker for Penn State, contributing significantly to the game’s outcome. In the third quarter, the Nittany Lions extended their lead further with a one-yard rushing touchdown from Kaytron Allen. Ryan Barker added a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, solidifying the win.

Despite the final score, UCLA’s performance demonstrated noticeable improvement, particularly in quarterback Justyn Martin’s play. Martin completed 11 of 14 passes for 116 yards in the first half alone, showcasing potential as he led UCLA’s offense. “Martin can keep his team competitive,” commented sports analyst Ben Bolch on social media.

UCLA’s defense also had its moments, successfully forcing a Penn State punt early in the game and nearly blocking another in the fourth quarter. However, they struggled to contain Penn State’s offensive advances as the game progressed.

As UCLA attempted to fight back in the fourth quarter, they started with promising field positions but were unable to capitalize effectively, turning over on downs twice within the red zone. Onlookers noted that UCLA showed resilience despite these missed opportunities to convert progress into points.

This game marked another step in the process of building a cohesive team under the guidance of their defensive coordinator, Ikaika Malloe, who remains committed to refining the Bruins’ defensive strategies. “These kids fight hard,” Malloe commented earlier in the week, expressing his drive to improve team performance.