PASADENA, CA – After dismantling Wisconsin last weekend, the Iowa football team makes the trek west to Pasadena, California, to take on the UCLA Bruins, who enter the contest with a 3-5 overall record and 2-4 in Big Ten play.

It marks the first meeting between these two programs as conference opponents and their first overall meeting since the 1986 Rose Bowl Game, a 45-28 UCLA victory. In fact, the Hawkeyes haven’t won at the historic venue since the 1959 Rose Bowl, where they defeated California, 38-12. Since that win, Iowa has lost its last four trips to the stadium, each of which were Rose Bowl Games.

The Bruins began the season with a measly 1-5 record, but have won two consecutive road games over Rutgers and Nebraska. One of the main factors for the success has been the improved play of fourth-year quarterback Ethan Garbers. Over the last two games, Garbers has thrown for 602 passing yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, and has rushed for an additional two scores.

This game marks the second career Iowa start for quarterback Brendan Sullivan, who completed 7 of his 10 passing attempts for 93 yards and one touchdown in the 42-10 victory over rival Wisconsin. Sullivan also tacked on 58 rushing yards and one touchdown on nine carries. Star running back Kaleb Johnson looks to continue his incredible season that has seen him collect 1,279 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns in 2024.

Wide receiver Reece Vander Zee, tight end Addison Ostrenga, defensive back John Nestor, and quarterback Cade McNamara are all listed as OUT for the Hawkeyes. Linebacker Femi Oladejo, defensive back Kaylin Moore, wide receiver Logan Loya, and running back T.J. Harden are all listed as questionable for the Bruins.

No Hawkeyes are listed as questionable, meaning tight end Luke Lachey will return to action after missing the last few games with an injury.

COIN TOSS: Iowa wins the toss, and elects to defer to the second half. UCLA will receive the opening kickoff.

1Q 13:30 Iowa 0, UCLA 0 – The Hawkeye defense dominates on UCLA’s opening drive, and defensive back Zach Lutmer steps in front of a Garbers pass for an interception on 3rd down. Iowa ball on the Bruin 41.

1Q 11:45  Iowa 7, UCLA 0 – The drive began on an ominous note with a three-yard loss, but the Hawkeyes march right down the field in only three plays on a two-yard touchdown from Kaleb Johnson, his 20th rushing touchdown of the season. A 32-yard pass from Sullivan set Iowa up near the goal line, and Johnson took advantage of it.

1Q 4:49 Iowa 7, UCLA 0 – After a shaky start to begin the game, the UCLA offense drives 72 yards on 13 plays, converting three third downs on the drive, but the Iowa defense comes up big again. Garbers was hit on the throw, forcing a wobbly pass straight up in the air that fell right into the arms of safety Quinn Schulte for the interception in the end zone. Hawkeyes will take over at their own 25 after a timeout.

1Q 0:55 Iowa 10, UCLA 0 – Aided by a 59-yard pass from Sullivan to wideout Jacob Gill, the Hawkeyes add on to their lead with a 24-yard field goal from third-year kicker Drew Stevens. Iowa looked like it would punch it right into the end zone again, but the UCLA defense held on for the stop.

2Q 11:41 Iowa 10, UCLA 3 – The Bruins covert a couple of third downs, but the Hawkeye defense holds on for the stop. Mateen Bhaghani’s 57-yard field goal attempt barely makes it over the crossbar, but it’s a good kick regardless. Iowa’s lead is cut down to seven points.

2Q 11:28 Iowa 10, UCLA 3 – On the first play of the drive, Sullivan’s pass is intercepted by Carson Schwesinger, who returns it 18 yards down to the Iowa 30. A late flag came in after the play, and the Bruins were flagged for unnecessary roughness, moving the ball back to the spot of the pick.

2Q 8:05 Iowa 10, UCLA 10 – The Sullivan interception proves costly, as UCLA quickly scores its first touchdown of the night to tie the game.

2Q 7:14 Iowa 10, UCLA 10 – After making a great play to extend the drive on third down, Sullivan takes off for a gain of seven, but fumbles the football. UCLA takes over at the Iowa 41.

2Q 3:27 Iowa 10, UCLA 10 – The Bruins put together a solid drive, but Garbers is stripped of the ball near the goal line, and Iowa recovers in the end zone. This game now has five turnovers and zero punts so far.

2Q 1:52 Iowa 10, UCLA 10 – Iowa can’t capitalize on the turnover, and goes three-and-out on its next possession. UCLA will take over at its own 44.

2Q 0:55 UCLA 17, Iowa 10 – The Bruins have all the momentum in this game, and they showed it there. Garbers connects with Logan Loya for a 29-yard score, giving UCLA its first lead of the night.

HALFTIME: UCLA 17, Iowa 10 – Iowa will have the ball coming out of halftime. The Bruins scored 17 unanswered points to end the first half and racked up 265 yards of total offense in the first half.

3Q 12:48 UCLA 17, Iowa 10 – The Iowa offense goes three-and-out to begin the second half. The Bruins will take over at their own 16 after a 50-yard punt by Rhys Dakin.

3Q 11:19 UCLA 17, Iowa 10 – The Hawkeye defense forces a quick three-and-out of their own. Kaden Wetjen breaks a couple of tackles and brings the ball to the Iowa 39. Brendan Sullivan took a hard hit on that previous drive, but he is back in the game.

3Q 8:37 UCLA 17, Iowa 10- Iowa drives down to the UCLA 37, but Sullivan is picked off for the second time tonight, again by Schwesinger. Similar to the first interception, Sullivan tried to throw it across the middle of the field, but the ball was thrown right to Schwesinger.

3Q 4:02 UCLA 17, Iowa 10 – The Bruins march down in Iowa territory, but can’t come up with any points, as Bhaghani misses the 57-yard field goal attempt this time. The Hawkeyes will take over at their own 38 after the timeout.

4Q  11:27 Iowa 17, UCLA 17 – Brendan Sullivan left the game due to an undisclosed injury, forcing walk-on sophomore Jackson Stratton into the game. Stratton guides the offense to the UCLA 40, and Drew Stevens connects on a 57-yard field goal. But, the Bruins are called for an unnecessary roughness penalty, extending the drive. Stratton proceeds to convert on a few third downs, and Kamari Moulton punches it in for a one-yard touchdown to tie the game.

4Q 4:53 UCLA 20, Iowa 17 – UCLA drives 66 yards on 12 plays, but the Hawkeye defense holds strong in the red zone. Bhaghani nails the 27-yard field goal to give the Bruins the lead.

4Q 4:04 UCLA 20, Iowa 17 – The Hawkeyes go three-and-out. UCLA will take over at their own 42-yard line and looks to close out this game.

FINAL: UCLA 20, Iowa 17 – Iowa’s defense is unable to come up with a stop, and the Bruins win their third consecutive game. Iowa drops to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in Big Ten play with the loss.

This is a developing story. Check back here or visit @dipregame on X for updates.