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- Scooter Jackson’s interception late in the fourth quarter helps No. 4 UCLA overcome a late scare in a 22-14 victory over Illinois to remain unbeaten on the season.
- In Bob Chesney’s first year as coach, UCLA ties the program record for the most wins in a season following the Bruins’ 3-9 campaign in 2025.
Clinging to a five-point lead in the final minutes, with Illinois driving and threatening to take the lead, UCLA was in danger of suffering its first loss and seeing its perfect season derailed.
But like it has all season, the UCLA defense nicknamed the “Bruin Bullies” never wavered.
On third down, UCLA cornerback Scooter Jackson recorded his second interception of the game, returning it 41 yards and setting up a 37-yard field goal by Mateen Bhaghani.
Swanson: Bob Chesney has turned UCLA dreams into reality. It must stop at nothing to keep him
After years of struggles and heartache, Bob Chesney has finally proved to be one coach capable of bringing nearly forgotten glory back to UCLA football.
From there, No. 4 UCLA held back Illinois on its final possession to secure a 22-14 victory on a rainy Friday night at the Rose Bowl in front of 45,800 fans. Coach Bob Chesney’s Bruins improved to 10-0 for the first time since 1998, tying the school record for wins in a season.
“They just don’t give up,” Chesney said. “They just believe that they have a shot to win every game, and that they’re going to find a way. On the bad teams, you get nervous, and you don’t want the ball to come your way. And then with the good teams, you’re excited when they call your number. And that’s the stuff to me that this whole team’s built on.”
As Chesney walked off the field with his wife and daughters, the sound of fans chanting his name reverberated above the tunnel.
“The fans were impressive to show up and to stay and to be present the entire time. When we walked out there, I was like, ‘Damn, yes!’” Chesney said. “I knew we were on the brink of it, and you were worried about the weather. But what a great job by them, and I’m really proud of the way that they showed up. … It’s pretty special, and I appreciate them as much as they appreciate our program.”
Illinois (6-4, 4-3), which entered on a four-game win streak, featured a pass-heavy attack that looked to give the Bruins’ secondary its toughest test since Purdue on Sept. 19.
But UCLA tormented Illinois quarterback Katin Houser, forcing three interceptions and a safety while limiting him to a season-low 176 passing yards. Houser’s top target, Collin Dixon, who had 68 receptions for 910 yards and 12 touchdowns entering the game, struggled to replicate his usual success.
While Dixon scored a touchdown, he finished with just four catches for 36 yards, largely because of Jackson blanketing the top wideout all night.
“He’s just feeling the game the right way,” Chesney said of Jackson. “He might take a little risk here and there, but at the same point in time, it’s never enough to hurt the team. He really understands the game. He understands the tendencies. He understands the matchups.”
Jackson’s first interception came at the beginning of the second quarter with the Fighting Illini driving into UCLA territory. Houser threw a deep shot for Dixon in the end zone, but instead hit the cornerback perfectly in stride, and Jackson then celebrated with the student section in the corner of the end zone.
The senior cornerback has five interceptions, including four in the last three games, and has been integral to UCLA’s secondary success. Only one quarterback has passed for more than 200 yards against the Bruins in the last seven games.
Jake Kennedy was an avid Boston Marathon runner who stressed the importance of giving back. His legacy now helps shape UCLA’s offense.
“Scooter is a ballplayer. He’s a hometown player,” UCLA linebacker Sammy Omosigho said. “He knows it’s his crib, so when he sees the ball, he sees the receiver. When he sees the quarterback, he breaks on it. His job is to get the football. He’s been doing a great job doing it the past few games.”
The Bruins’ undefeated season looked to be in jeopardy before halftime.
UCLA quarterback Ty Dieffenbach was injured in the second quarter when he fell face down after a tackle. He clutched his left arm and eventually hobbled off the field with assistance, leaving the crowd stunned.
Dieffenbach failed to return to the field for the start of the second half. The Bruins led just 12-7 going into the fourth quarter, with third-string quarterback Madden Iamaleava going just three for seven for 21 yards as the offense sputtered.
Dieffenbach’s surprise return late in the third quarter, which drew roars from UCLA fans, breathed new life into the Bruins.
“When Ty walked in, the noise, I didn’t know what it was, and then I saw him on the screen, him coming down the sideline, that was pretty impressive,” Chesney said. “... He grabbed everybody on that sideline and was dapping everybody up right down the row to make sure that they knew that he was back.”
He promptly led an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 26-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Semaj Morgan to give UCLA a 19-7 lead.
Chesney said Dieffenbach was dealing with an elbow injury on his left arm and the hit he took in the second quarter caused his arm to feel tight, raising concern. Dieffenbach also had been dealing with an ankle injury that flared up after he was tackled.
“There’s a lot that he had to go through there, but he’s a warrior, so it’s what he’s growing and becoming that I’m really excited about,” Chesney said.
Dieffenbach completed 13 of 20 passes for 232 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Aidan Mizell, who caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, had six catches for 176 yards. Dieffenbach and Mizell have combined for 326 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games, creating a budding connection that has fueled the passing offense and opened up the running game.
“Starting in January, when we both got here, we were both transfer guys coming in,” Dieffenbach said. “We were throwing on the weekends in January, and then moving into spring ball, building that connection. Fall camp, we really hit it off. Just the way he’s been able to step up. Guys are going down right now, and we need the other guys to step up. He’s a great receiver. You see what he does with the ball after he catches it.”
