The UCLA football team is on a two-game winning streak and has now won three games overall — but none of that has happened at the Rose Bowl.
After battling against ranked Big Ten Conference opponents since mid-September, the Bruins achieved wins over Rutgers and Nebraska. Winning on their home field, however, is something they’re still chasing.
“Thats a dream of mine,” defensive back Bryan Addison said. “Being a kid, thats what I always wanted — was to play here. I want to win in the Rose Bowl super bad.”
UCLA (3-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) could make that dream come true against unranked Iowa (6-3, 4-2) on Friday evening, which also happens to be Homecoming, Bruin Family Weekend and the Black Excellence game.
The team will be wearing powder-blue throwback jerseys as a tribute to the 1967 team that went 7-2-1 and produced Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Gary Beban.
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Current Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers has gotten plenty of support from his teammates and head coach DeShaun Foster throughout the season and has elevated his play. The redshirt senior has historically relied on his arm to make plays but has taken off on lengthy runs in the last two games.
His 57-yard rush was the longest run by a UCLA quarterback since 2022 and the longest run by any Bruin this season.
“I knew his ability,” Foster said of supporting Garbers. “He’s a talented quarterback. He makes plays and he’s sneaky athletic. He can run the ball and he makes moves downfield. Hes finding guys open. Hes extending drives, extending plays. I always liked when my coaches supported me, no matter what happened.”
Iowa, which last played UCLA in 1985, will bring a tough rushing attack that’s led by junior Kaleb Johnson. He has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season and set a new program record by scoring 120 points this year.
“You can see that and you know hes a guy that the more carries he gets to the more he gets going,” Foster said. “Theyre excited for this challenge because when youre playing against a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, you want to be at your best.”
When Iowa has the ball
Johnson ranks second nationally in rushing yards (1,279), rushing touchdowns (19) and rushing yards per game (142.1). He’s fifth in terms of rushing yards per carry with 7.52. Iowa has also built a big offensive line that has allowed the Hawks to have success on the ground. Quarterback Brendan Sullivan has even rushed for 134 yards and four touchdowns.
UCLA’s defense has done well against the run this season and has the 11th-best rushing defense in the country. Getting through the offensive line and stopping Johnson will require swarming the ball and a group effort from the players up front. Defensive tackle Jay Toia leads the defensive front and registered his first sack of the season in the Bruins’ last game against Nebraska while linebacker Carson Schwesinger has registered double-digit tackles in the last six games.
When UCLA has the ball
The Bruins are still working to develop their run game but have effectively used their running backs out of the backfield. Garbers efficiently completed 17 of 25 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Nebraska. Four different receivers are averaging 25 receiving yards or more per game, including running back T.J. Harden — who has the second-most receiving yards on the team with 241. Foster has said that receiver Rico Flores is also close to returning to play after missing the last four games due to an undisclosed injury.
Iowa’s defense has forced 17 turnovers in the last nine games, second-most of any Big Ten team. Defensive back Jermari Harris and linebacker Jay Higgins each have three interceptions. Seven players have at least one interception and 15 players have at least one pass breakup.
Iowa (6-3 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) at UCLA (3-5, 2-4)
When: Friday, 6 p.m. PT
Where: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena
TV/Radio: FOX/AM 570