No. 9 UCLA overcomes sloppy start, improves to 7-0 with win over Michigan State

It was always going to be the Bruin Bullies’ day.

No. 9 UCLA was hosting a Michigan State team with one of the least productive offenses in the country led by freshman quarterback Kayd Coffman, who was taking his first college snaps after the Spartans’ top two quarterbacks were injured.

After forcing three turnovers and four sacks, UCLA trounced Michigan State 28-10 Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins improved to 7-0 for the first time since 2005 after winning just three games last season.

No. 9 UCLA 28, Michigan State 10, end of fourth quarter

Michigan State started on its 36.

Leo Hannan passed to Kenneth Williams for five yards, but UCLA was hit with an unnecessary roughness penalty.

Hannan’s pass was intercepted by Malik Hartford at the UCLA 26.

Jaivian Thomas ran for six yards. Thomas ran for three yards.

Anthony Woods ran for 23 yards. Troy Leigber ran for 17 yards.

Ty Dieffenbach passed to Semaj Morgan for eight yards and Michigan State was called for a face mask penalty.

Woods ran for two yards. UCLA took a knee. The Bruins took one more knee to run out the clock.

No. 9 UCLA 28, Michigan State 10, 4:45 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA started on the Michigan State 42 after an onside kick.

Anthony Woods ran for six yards and one yard. Michigan State called timeout with 4:51 remaining.

Mateen Bhaghani missed a 54-yard field goal.

No. 9 UCLA 28, Michigan State 10, 6:18 left in the fourth quarter

Michigan State starts on its three-yard line.

Kenneth Williams ran for five yards. Leo Hannan passed to Jaden Savoury for eight yards. Hannan tossed an incomplete pass.

On fourth-and-one, Hannan passed to Savoury for two yards.

Hannan passed to Brennan Parachek for eight yards. Michigan State was called for a false start.

Hannan passed to Bryson Williams for 19 yards. Williams ran for four yards.

Hannan passed to Chrishon McCray for 23 yards. Hannan tossed an incomplete pass. Hannan was sacked for a loss of seven yards. Hannan tossed an incomplete pass.

Liam Boyd hit a 48-yard field goal to trim UCLA’s lead.

No. 9 UCLA 28, Michigan State 7, 11:47 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 37.

Ty Dieffenbach passed to Aiden Mizell for 17 yards and Michigan State was called for unnecessary roughness for a loss of 15 yards.

On first down at the Michigan State 31, Anthony Woods ran for five yards. Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass intended for Landon Ellis, but Michigan State was called for pass interference.

On first down at the Michigan State 11, Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass. Jaivian Thomas ran for seven yards. Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass intended for Josh Pfifer in the end zone.

On fourth and three at the Michigan State 4, Thomas ran for one yard and the Bruins turned the ball over.

No. 9 UCLA 28, Michigan State 7, 13:58 left in the fourth quarter

On first down at the Michigan State 16, Leo Hannan took over at quarterback and tossed an incomplete pass. Brandon Tullis ran for four yards. Hannan was hit by Sammy Omosigho as he tossed an incomplete pass.

Rhys Dakin punted to the UCLA 32 and Semaj Morgan returned it five yards to the UCLA 37.

No. 9 UCLA 28, Michigan State 7, end of third quarter

UCLA started on its 33 after the punt.

Ty Dieffenbach passed to Semaj Morgan for nine yards, but UCLA was called for holding on the play. On first-and-20, Anthony Woods ran for 16 yards. Michigan State star defender Devin Vaught was injured on the play. Jaivian Thomas ran for three yards. Thomas ran for no gain. On fourth-and-one on the UCLA 42, UCLA tried to get Michigan State to jump offsides and called timeout with the play clock running down.

Anthony Woods ran for three yards and the first down.

Dieffenbach’s pass intended for Semaj Morgan was incomplete. Troy Leigber ran for four yards. Dieffenbach tossed another incomplete pass intended for Aidan Mizell.

Curtis Gerrand punted to the Michigan State 2, with Shane Rosenthal downing the ball.

Kenneth Williams ran for one yard. Williams bounced outside for 13 yards and time expired in the third quarter.

No. 9 UCLA 28, Michigan State 7, 4:17 left in the third quarter

Michigan State started on its 25 after the touchback.

Kayd Coffman sacked by Aiden Gobaira for a loss of four yards. Coffman tossed an incomplete pass that was low and short of the receiver. Coffman was sacked for a loss of six yards by Sammy Omosigho.

UCLA’s Ryan McColloch was injured on the play.

Michigan State punted to the UCLA 33.

No. 9 UCLA 28, Michigan State 7, 5:27 left in the third quarter

UCLA started on its 30 after the punt.

Ty Dieffenbach passed to Semaj Morgan for 15 yards. Dieffenbach passed to Brayden Loftin for three yards. Anthony Woods ran for six yards. On third-and-one, Michigan State was called offsides.

Wayne Knight ran for no gain. Dieffenbach passed to Josh Phifer for six yards. Knight ran for one yard. On fourth-and-three at the Michigan State 34, Michigan State flinched and jumped offsides again.

Ty Dieffenbach passed to Woods for three yards. Woods then ran for 12 yards, 10 yards and a one-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

No. 9 UCLA 21, Michigan State 7, 10:54 left in the third quarter

Michigan State started on its 25 after the touchback.

Chrishon McCray ran for three yards. Kenneth Williams ran for two yards. Kayd Coffman passed to McCray for seven yards, but the play was reviewed and officials determined the ball hit the ground. It was ruled an incomplete pass.

Michigan State punted to the UCLA 30.

No. 9 UCLA 21, Michigan State 7, 13:00 left in the third quarter

UCLA started with the ball on its 25 after the kick off was returned 19 yards by Troy Leigber.

Wayne Knight ran for nine yards. Knight ran for no gain. Ty Dieffenbach ran for three yards.

Dieffenbach passed to Brian Rowe Jr. for a 63-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

No. 9 UCLA 14, Michigan State 7, end of second quarter

UCLA started on its 27 with 1:42 left.

Anthony Woods ran for four yards. Ty Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass. Dieffenbach passed to Semaj Morgan for 11 yards. Dieffenbach ran for eight yards. Dieffenbach passed to Brian Rowe Jr. for three yards. Dieffenbach’s pass intended for Semaj Morgan was incomplete. Dieffenbach passed to Landon Ellis, but he dropped the ball. On third-and-10 at the Michigan State 47, Dieffenbach threw the ball as he was hit and stayed down on the field.

Dieffenbach grabbed his left knee as hit the field. After a few minutes, he walked off the field with a slight limp.

UCLA coach Bob Chesney said during his CBS Sports halftime interview that “he just got stepped on is what it looked like out there. He’ll be fine, I think.”

UCLA punted out of bounds to the 11-yard line with 13 seconds left.

The Spartans took a knee and UCLA will receive the ball in the third quarter.

No. 9 UCLA 14, Michigan State 7, 1:42 left in the second quarter

Michigan State started on its 25 after the touchback.

Kenneth Williams ran for 13 yards. Williams ran for one yard before the two-minute timeout was triggered. Coffman was sacked for a loss of seven yards.

UCLA called timeout with 1:54 left.

On third-and-16, Williams ran for four yards and UCLA called timeout with 1:49 left.

Michigan State punted to the UCLA 27.

No. 9 UCLA 14, Michigan State 7, 3:04 left in the second quarter

UCLA started on its 23.

Anthony Woods ran for 13 yards. Ty Dieffenbach passed to Woods for 15 yards.

Dieffenbach passed to Noah Fox-Flores for nine yards. Wayne Knights ran for three yards. Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass.

Jaivian Thomas ran for three yards. Thomas ran for nine yards before Devin Vaught forced his second fumble of the game. Michigan State’s Nikai Martinez returned it 56 yards to the UCLA 19.

Carson Gulker ran for no gain.

Kayd Cauffman’s pass was intercepted by Donovan Pellot and returned 67 yards to the Michigan State 21.

Wayne Knight ran for six yards. Dieffenbach passed to Semaj Morgan for 11 yards. Knight ran for three yards. Dieffenbach faked a handoff and stretched for no gain. On third-and-goal at the Michigan State 1, Knight ran for a one-yard touchdown.

It is the seventh consecutive game Knight has scored a touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

No. 9 UCLA 7, Michigan State 7, 9:50 left in the second quarter

Michigan State starts on its 25 after the touchback.

Kenneth Williams ran for four yards. Kay Coffman tossed an incomplete pass. Coffman rolled out trying to evade a sack and nearly threw an interception that fell out of bounds.

Michigan State punted to the UCLA 33 and the Bruins were called for holding on the play, moving back to the 23.

No. 9 UCLA 7, Michigan State 7, 11:00 left in the second quarter

Michigan State started on its 29.

Kayd Coffman tossed an incomplete pass and Michigan State was called for an illegal touch after stepping out of bounds and not reestablishing himself before touching the ball.

On second-and-10, Kenneth Willaims ran for a loss of 10 yards and Malik Hartford forced a fumble recovered by Sammy Omosigho at the Spartans’ 19.

Wayne Knight ran for eight yards, one yard and five yards.

On first-and-goal at the seven, Ty Dieffenbach tossed a pass that skipped off Brayden Loftin’s hands. Jaivian Thomas ran for a seven-yard touchdown.

UCLA was called for delay of game and moved back five yards. Mateen Bhaghani still hit the extra point.

Michigan State 7, No. 9 UCLA 0, 13:36 left in the second quarter

UCLA faced second-and-20 at the Bruins’ 20. Ty Dieffenbach passed to Brian Rowe Jr. for eight yards. Dieffenbach found no open receivers and ran up the middle for no gain.

UCLA punted out of bounds at the Michigan State 29.

Michigan State 7, No. 9 UCLA 0, end of first quarter

Ty Dieffenbach passed to Semaj Morgan for nine yards. Wayne Knight ran for three yards.

Dieffenbach’s pass sailed past Jalen Saint Paul and was nearly intercepted by Michigan State, but the ball bounced in the dirt.

Knight ran for 12 yards, but UCLA’s Julian Armella was called for holding for the second time so far this game.

Time expired in the first quarter with UCLA facing second-and-20 at the Bruins’ 20.

Michigan State 7, No. 9 UCLA 0, 1:45 left in the first quarter

Michigan State was called for holding on the kickoff, moving back 10 yards to its 24.

Kenneth Williams ran for no gain. Williams ran for eight yards. And Williams took a direct snap, running for no gain.

Michigan State punted to the UCLA 18.

Michigan State 7, No. 9 UCLA 0, 3:37 left in the first quarter

Wayne Knight fumbled the kickoff and recovered before running for 21 yards.

On first down at the UCLA 24, Jaivian Thomas ran for two yards. Thomas ran for three yards, but UCLA was called for holding. Ty Dieffenbach’s pass to Landon Ellis was incomplete. Dieffenbach passed to Semaj Morgan for 13 yards.

Curtis Gerrand punted to the Michigan State 34.

Michigan State 7, No. 9 UCLA 0, 5:26 left in the first quarter

UCLA started on its 20 after the punt.

Ty Dieffenbach faked a handoff and ran for six yards. Defensive lineman Ben Roberts was injured on the field and had to be helped off the field.

Dieffenbach passed to Landon Ellis for two yards. Wayne Knight ran for five yards. Dieffenbach passe to Semaj Morgan for thee yards, but Kenny Soars Jr. was called for roughing the passer to give UCLA another 15 yards.

Knight ran for seven yards and another six yards. Dieffenbach’s pass was dropped by Anthony Woods.

On second-and-10 at the Michigan State 36, Woods ran for seven yards before Devin Vaught ripped the ball away and returned it 56 yards to the Bruins’ 15.

Kenneth Williams ran for one yard.

Kayd Coffman passed to Kenneth Williams for a 14-yard touchdown. The Spartans hit the extra point.

No. 9 UCLA 0, Michigan State 0, 8:48 left in the first quarter

Michigan State won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

Marvis Parrish ran for five yards. Kayd Coffman ran for two yards. Parrish ran for four yards, but he was injured..

Coffman passed to Fredrick Moore for nine yards. Kenneth Williams ran for six yards and Coffman ran for no gain. Coffman passed to Chrishon McCray for 19 yards.

Williams ran for one yard and then another yard before passing to McCray for no gain

Michigan State punted into the end zone.

UCLA football fans are accustomed to watching the Bruins struggle, so it took some time to believe new coach Bob Chesney really could back up his inspirational messages.

After a big road win against longtime nemesis Oregon, video posted online showed Chesney delivering a fiery speech to his team in the tunnel before facing the Ducks. He relayed the story of Spanish military commander Hernán Cortes telling his crew to burn boats behind them so that there was no way out but forward. The Bruins, he said, had to burn the boats and fight through the Ducks.

“His speech before the Oregon game — where he talked about burning boats — that just fires you up,” said Brian Jacobsen, a 1987 UCLA graduate. “It makes me want to run through a wall.”

The Chesney Train is not stopping any time soon.

No. 9 UCLA football picked up its sixth win of the season Saturday night at the Rose Bowl, defeating Wisconsin 17-7, making the Bruins bowl eligible and the sole undefeated team in the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference.

Some penciled in a Bruin loss to the Badgers — who were the leading vote getters outside the top 25 in last week’s Associated Press poll — with starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury suffered against Oregon.

But UCLA’s newest conductor, senior quarterback Ty Dieffenbach, exceeded expectations against a relentless Wisconsin defense, leading the Bruins to victory in his first FBS start.

Neither USC nor UCLA has made the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014. Yet the Trojans finished six of those 12 seasons ranked in the Associated Press top 25, while UCLA finished in the top 25 twice and is currently ranked No. 12.

Reports that the CFP is nearing a deal to expand the field from 12 to 24 teams in 2027 should be tremendous news for both schools. UCLA (5-0) is surging after its rousing upset over Oregon, and USC (6-1) is ranked No. 19 after beating Washington and Penn State.

Arduous tests loom during the second half of the season, however, making the chances of getting the nod from the CFP selection committee a coin flip at best.

As the kids of Smyrna, Del., bickered about who got to play the role of 5-foot-7 high school star tailback Wayne Knight during their pickup football games, Knight was blazing a trail under Friday night lights.

During Knight’s senior season, he ran for 1,406 yards and 30 touchdowns. He dominated state competition with the ardent support of the Smyrna community — a rural town centered around fishing, crabbing and waterfowl, with no more than 15,000 people.

All of Smyrna shut down when it was game day — supporting William Knight, Wayne’s older brother, who won three consecutive state titles and finished his career as the state’s all-time leading rusher.

Behind a standout performance from quarterback Ty Dieffenbach in his first UCLA start, the No. 12 Bruins defeated Wisconsin 17-7 at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Dieffenbach orchestrated a six-play, 89-yard drive in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for the Bruins, who clinched bowl eligibility by improving to 6-0 under coach Bob Chesney. UCLA is the only undefeated team in the Big Ten.

Although UCLA (6-0, 4-0) entered with one of the most potent ground attacks in the nation, the Badgers’ stalwart defense — a unit that ranked No. 15 in total defense and ninth in passing yards allowed heading into the game — held UCLA to just 3.2 yards per carry. Heisman Trophy contender Wayne Knight was limited to just 29 all-purpose yards, though he scored his 12th touchdown of the season.