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Aerial view of UCLA stadium with players during upset victory over Penn State
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Winless UCLA Defrupts No. 7 Penn State 42-37 in Major Upset

UCLA defeats No. 7 Penn State in major upset

UCLA, winless prior, stunned No. 7 Penn State with a 42-37 victory, marking a historic upset.

  • UCLA's previous losses: Utah, UNLV, New Mexico, Northwestern
  • UCLA’s first win of season against ranked opponent
  • Penn State favored by 24.5 points
  • Penn State lost to unranked team for first time since 1985
  • Penn State attempted comeback after halftime
  • Quarterback Nico Iamaleava shined for UCLA
  • Penn State missed critical fourth-down chance
  • Next game for Penn State is against Northwestern

Los Angeles, October 4, 2025 – The UCLA Bruins notched their first victory of the season by defeating the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions 42-37 at the Rose Bowl. Entering the contest 0-4 and a 24.5-point underdog, UCLA became the first winless team since 1985 to beat a top-10 opponent.[1]

Game Overview

UCLA scored touchdowns on its first five possessions to lead 27-7 at halftime. The Bruins finished with 446 total yards, including 280 rushing yards. Penn State gained 357 total yards, with 127 on the ground.[1]

Key Performances

  • Nico Iamaleava, UCLA completed 17 of 24 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns; rushed 16 times for 128 yards and three scores.[1]
  • Drew Allar, Penn State finished 25 of 37 passing for 289 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.[1]

Turning Points

A third-quarter blocked punt returned for a touchdown brought Penn State within 27-21. The Nittany Lions added two more scores to trail 34-28 entering the fourth quarter. UCLA responded with a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped by Iamaleava’s 1-yard run to extend the lead. A final fourth-down defensive stop at the UCLA 9 preserved the Bruins’ victory.[1]

Historical Significance

This result ended Penn State’s 34-game winning streak against unranked teams and marked the first time since October 26, 1985, that an 0-4 team defeated a top-10 opponent.[2][1]

What’s Next

UCLA (1-4, 1-1 Pac-12) travels to Michigan State on October 11. Penn State (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) returns home to face Northwestern.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
SEO improvements have been made to the article.
— by Howayda Sayed
Flagged remaining data points for full accuracy
— by Howayda Sayed
Added verified stats from ESPN and AP sources
— by Howayda Sayed
Refined and clarified the headline for precision
— by Howayda Sayed
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Howayda Sayed
  1. 1. Confirm UCLA’s 0-4 start losses (Utah, UNLV, New Mexico, Northwestern) via official NCAA box scores.
  2. 2. Verify the 24.5-point point spread on BetMGM.
  3. 3. Cross-check the “first since 1985” claim against AP archives.
  4. 4. Include firing dates for head coach DeShaun Foster and defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe from UCLA Athletics releases.
  5. 5. Add attendance figures and television ratings from Rose Bowl official reports.
  6. 6. Attribute direct quotes to interim coach Tim Skipper and Penn State coach James Franklin with exact dates.
  7. 7. Enhance SEO with keywords “UCLA upset,” “Penn State loss,” and “Nico Iamaleava performance” in headings.

FAQ

What led to UCLA's shocking victory?

UCLA capitalized on strong offense and defensive mistakes by Penn State.

How significant is this upset in college football?

It's considered the biggest upset of the season.

What is Penn State's next opponent?

Penn State will play Northwestern next week.