Saturday, October 19
Piscataway, N.J.
9:00 AM
UCLA
2-5 , 1-4
35
at
32
Rutgers
4-3 , 1-3
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
UCLA
7
14
7
7
35
Rutgers
7
3
9
13
32
Ethan Garbers
Photo by: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
UCLA Football Defeats Rutgers, 35-32
October 19, 2024 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – UCLA Football defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 35-32, at SHI Stadium on Saturday to claim its first Big Ten Conference win in program history.
UCLA (2-5, 1-4 Big Ten) beat 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 has eclipsed the 350-yard passing mark since Dorian Thompson-Robinson in 2020 (vs. USC, 364 yards).
"My players are resilient and they continue to show that each game," said UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster. "Ethan (Garbers) came out and played a really well game. I think these are all career highs for him: completions, attempts, touchdowns and yards. So that was really huge. All three running backs scored a touchdown and they are receiving. I was just fired up the way they played. (Linebacker Carson Schwesinger) got his 10th tackle, so he's at five in a row. I'm just fired up for the way this team played, you know? We were up more than what the score shows, but the team kept fighting and I'm just glad we kept executing in the fourth quarter and pull the victory out."
The Bruins started strong, opening the action with a 75-yard drive that found the endzone in under six minutes of play. UCLA needed 11 plays to go the distance on the opening drive; Garbers connected with redshirtisenior wideout Logan Loya for a five-yard touchdown pass to put UCLA up 7-0 early. Rutgers answered with a score of its own to tie the ballgame with 4:43 on the clock. UCLA began to move down field on its second drive, but the Bruins were forced to punt after being stopped near half field.
Rutgers saw little success to start the second quarter after UCLA downed its punt at the opposing 5-yard line. UCLA's offense was back on the field after the defensive unit slowed the Scarlet Knights to a halt at their midfield logo. Garbers completed an important third-down pass to redshirt-junior Titus Mokiao-Atimalala that, after official review, was marked just short of a first down. On a crucial fourth-and-one for the Bruins, the punt team remained on UCLA's sideline. Garbers tucked the football and pushed over the line to keep a Bruin drive alive and move the chains on UCLA's 20-yard line. Redshirt-senior Keegan Jones and junior T.J. Harden picked up back-to-back first downs for the Bruins as they marched towards half field. Garbers ripped off a 49-yard run down the sideline, dodging a Rutgers defender before taking it to the house; the rushing touchdown marked UCLA's longest run of the season.
UCLA led 14-7 after sophomore kicker Mateen Bhaghani nailed the extra point attempt. The Bruins held the Scarlet Knights to a field goal during Rutgers' attempt at a two-minute drill on the following drive. UCLA got the ball back with a minute and eight seconds left before halftime and was determined to attack. The Bruins quickly started to move 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 and got out of bounds, and Loya gained 14 yards to move the chains again as the Bruins found their way into the rezone. UCLA lined up poised to find the end zone. Harden ran a seam route, and the running back pulled in a 22-yard reception for a touchdown. The Bruins went 75 yards in 46 seconds for the score before half 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 stuffed their two-point conversion attempt; UCLA received the following kickoff leading 21-16. The Bruins were unable to capitalize on the momentum coming out of the half, going three-and-out in their first drive on offense. The Scarlet Knights split the uprights for a field goal and made it a two-point game, with UCLA up 21-19.
UCLA was not to be denied, and the Bruins had a quick answer for the east coast Big Ten foe. Garbers found Jones near the sideline, and the redshirt-senior exploded for a 67-yard reception to the end zone.
The two-play scoring drive included UCLA's longest play of the season and marked the second drive in three attempts with a touchdown scored in under a minute. The Bruin defense forced a three-and-out on the following 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 kept moving downfield; redshirt-senior Jalen Berger rushed for a first down to move into Rutgers territory. Garbers went back to the air to attack, finding 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 left to go in the final quarter. Rutgers put together a six-play, 75-yard drive to answer once 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 following drive but missed a long field goal attempt with 6:27 remaining.
The Scarlet Knights took over near half but would not hold onto possession for long. Redshirt-senior Bryan Addison lurked deep as Rutgers fired the pigskin towards the sideline on third down; the Bruin defensive back jumped the passing lane for UCLA's first interception of the game. UCLA took possession with 5:25 remaining and erased two minutes off the clock before turning the ball over. Garbers took a sack and fumbled the football; Rutgers recovered the ball and began the drive at its own 42-yard line. The Scarlet Knights played with tempo after recovering the turnover; Rutgers found its way to the end zone in 2:11 to tighten the gap.
UCLA led 35-32 and lined up prepared for a Rutgers onside kick attempt. Redshirt-freshman Grant Gray secured the kick and initially took it all the way to the end zone for what would have been a finishing blow to the Scarlet Knights. The play was called back as replay review revealed that UCLA signaled for a fair catch. UCLA lined up in victory formation and knelt the ball to secure the three-point conference win.
UP NEXT (at Nebraska – Nov. 2)
UCLA returns to action after a bye week to end October. The Bruins head to Lincoln, Neb., to play the Cornhuskers in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2. The game's start time and television assignment are yet to be announced.
UCLA (2-5, 1-4 Big Ten) beat 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 has eclipsed the 350-yard passing mark since Dorian Thompson-Robinson in 2020 (vs. USC, 364 yards).
"My players are resilient and they continue to show that each game," said UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster. "Ethan (Garbers) came out and played a really well game. I think these are all career highs for him: completions, attempts, touchdowns and yards. So that was really huge. All three running backs scored a touchdown and they are receiving. I was just fired up the way they played. (Linebacker Carson Schwesinger) got his 10th tackle, so he's at five in a row. I'm just fired up for the way this team played, you know? We were up more than what the score shows, but the team kept fighting and I'm just glad we kept executing in the fourth quarter and pull the victory out."
The Bruins started strong, opening the action with a 75-yard drive that found the endzone in under six minutes of play. UCLA needed 11 plays to go the distance on the opening drive; Garbers connected with redshirtisenior wideout Logan Loya for a five-yard touchdown pass to put UCLA up 7-0 early. Rutgers answered with a score of its own to tie the ballgame with 4:43 on the clock. UCLA began to move down field on its second drive, but the Bruins were forced to punt after being stopped near half field.
Rutgers saw little success to start the second quarter after UCLA downed its punt at the opposing 5-yard line. UCLA's offense was back on the field after the defensive unit slowed the Scarlet Knights to a halt at their midfield logo. Garbers completed an important third-down pass to redshirt-junior Titus Mokiao-Atimalala that, after official review, was marked just short of a first down. On a crucial fourth-and-one for the Bruins, the punt team remained on UCLA's sideline. Garbers tucked the football and pushed over the line to keep a Bruin drive alive and move the chains on UCLA's 20-yard line. Redshirt-senior Keegan Jones and junior T.J. Harden picked up back-to-back first downs for the Bruins as they marched towards half field. Garbers ripped off a 49-yard run down the sideline, dodging a Rutgers defender before taking it to the house; the rushing touchdown marked UCLA's longest run of the season.
49 YARDS TO THE HOUSE @ethan_garbers3 ??
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 19, 2024
??: FS1#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/0JBUBrMjCg
UCLA led 14-7 after sophomore kicker Mateen Bhaghani nailed the extra point attempt. The Bruins held the Scarlet Knights to a field goal during Rutgers' attempt at a two-minute drill on the following drive. UCLA got the ball back with a minute and eight seconds left before halftime and was determined to attack. The Bruins quickly started to move 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 and got out of bounds, and Loya gained 14 yards to move the chains again as the Bruins found their way into the rezone. UCLA lined up poised to find the end zone. Harden ran a seam route, and the running back pulled in a 22-yard reception for a touchdown. The Bruins went 75 yards in 46 seconds for the score before half 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 stuffed their two-point conversion attempt; UCLA received the following kickoff leading 21-16. The Bruins were unable to capitalize on the momentum coming out of the half, going three-and-out in their first drive on offense. The Scarlet Knights split the uprights for a field goal and made it a two-point game, with UCLA up 21-19.
UCLA was not to be denied, and the Bruins had a quick answer for the east coast Big Ten foe. Garbers found Jones near the sideline, and the redshirt-senior exploded for a 67-yard reception to the end zone.
.@Chance202 put on the burners ????
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 19, 2024
??: FS1#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/T0ArdvdksQ
The two-play scoring drive included UCLA's longest play of the season and marked the second drive in three attempts with a touchdown scored in under a minute. The Bruin defense forced a three-and-out on the following 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 kept moving downfield; redshirt-senior Jalen Berger rushed for a first down to move into Rutgers territory. Garbers went back to the air to attack, finding 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 left to go in the final quarter. Rutgers put together a six-play, 75-yard drive to answer once 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 following drive but missed a long field goal attempt with 6:27 remaining.
The Scarlet Knights took over near half but would not hold onto possession for long. Redshirt-senior Bryan Addison lurked deep as Rutgers fired the pigskin towards the sideline on third down; the Bruin defensive back jumped the passing lane for UCLA's first interception of the game. UCLA took possession with 5:25 remaining and erased two minutes off the clock before turning the ball over. Garbers took a sack and fumbled the football; Rutgers recovered the ball and began the drive at its own 42-yard line. The Scarlet Knights played with tempo after recovering the turnover; Rutgers found its way to the end zone in 2:11 to tighten the gap.
UCLA led 35-32 and lined up prepared for a Rutgers onside kick attempt. Redshirt-freshman Grant Gray secured the kick and initially took it all the way to the end zone for what would have been a finishing blow to the Scarlet Knights. The play was called back as replay review revealed that UCLA signaled for a fair catch. UCLA lined up in victory formation and knelt the ball to secure the three-point conference win.
UP NEXT (at Nebraska – Nov. 2)
UCLA returns to action after a bye week to end October. The Bruins head to Lincoln, Neb., to play the Cornhuskers in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2. The game's start time and television assignment are yet to be announced.
Team Stats
UCL
RU
Total Yards
478
422
Pass Yards
383
287
Rushing Yards
95
135
Penalty Yards
49
25
1st Downs
24
23
3rd Downs
7
3
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
34:42
25:18
1st Quarter
UCL 7, RU 0
UCL - Loya,Logan 5 yd pass from Garbers,Ethan (Bhaghani,Mateen kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:57
UCL 7, RU 7
RU - Kaliakmanis,Athan 1 yd run (Patel,Jai kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:20
2nd Quarter
UCL 14, RU 7
UCL - Garbers,Ethan 49 yd run (Bhaghani,Mateen kick), 10 plays, 91 yards, TOP 06:34
UCL 14, RU 10
RU - Patel,Jai 49 yd field goal 8 plays, 44 yards, TOP 01:35
UCL 21, RU 10
UCL - Harden,T.J. 22 yd pass from Garbers,Ethan (Bhaghani,Mateen kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:46
3rd Quarter
UCL 21, RU 16
RU - Monangai,Kyle 6 yd run (), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:15
UCL 21, RU 19
RU - Patel,Jai 35 yd field goal 11 plays, 41 yards, TOP 04:52
UCL 28, RU 19
UCL - Jones,Keegan 67 yd pass from Garbers,Ethan (Bhaghani,Mateen kick) 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:48
4th Quarter
UCL 35, RU 19
UCL - Berger,Jalen 9 yd pass from Garbers,Ethan (Bhaghani,Mateen kick) 10 plays, 70 yards, TOP 05:20
UCL 35, RU 25
RU - Monangai,Kyle 5 yd run (), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:38
UCL 35, RU 32
RU - Monangai,Kyle 1 yd run (Patel,Jai kick), 8 plays, 58 yards, TOP 02:11
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
32
TD
4
YDS
383
INT
0
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
K
/ FootballQB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
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