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Nittany Lions Hit the Road to Face Bruins (Game Preview)

No. 7 Penn State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) at UCLA (0-4, 0-1 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, October 4

Time (EST): 3:30 PM

Location: Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, CA)

  • Average Home Attendance (2025): 33,097.50

  • Highest Home Attendance (2025): 35,032 (August 30, vs. Utah)

  • Capacity: 91,136

Game Theme: Blue Out

Coverage


Storylines

Tale of the Tape: Getting Back to Business

After the heartbreaking loss in two overtimes against Oregon last week, Penn State looks to settle back into the swing of things against a struggling UCLA team. As for UCLA, they’ll try to get past a bumpy start and ride the momentum of a close loss to Northwestern.


Rojas Out with Long-Term Injury

Star linebacker Tony Rojas was reported on Tuesday to be sidelined with an injury for an unspecified amount of time. The run defense may take a hit as Penn State will look for linebackers like Cam Smith and Alex Tatsch to step up. (Source: ESPN)


Sunseri Adds to Coaching Staff Departures

Former offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri parted ways with UCLA on Tuesday after the Bruin offense had put up the 123rd-best scoring offense in the FBS in four games. Sunseri, a former co-offensive coordinator for Indiana, joins defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe and head coach DeShaun Foster as part of the departures. (Source: USA Today)


The Head-to-Head History of Penn State-UCLA (Source: Winsipedia)

Penn State is 3-4 against UCLA all-time. Their last meeting was on October 5, 2024, when Penn State beat UCLA 27-11 at home.

Penn State is 1-2 against UCLA on the road all-time, with their last road meeting being on October 12, 1968 when the Nittany Lions defeated the Bruins 21-6.

Penn State has won the last two head-to-head meetings dating back to 1968. UCLA last beat Penn State on October 15, 1967, when the Bruins won, 17-15 on the road.


No. 7 Penn State at UCLA: By The Numbers

*Turnovers include failed 4th-down conversion attempts.

No. 7 Penn State

Offense

UCLA

39.0

Points Per Game

14.3

217.0

Pass Yards Per Game

197.0

180.0

Rush Yards Per Game

124.2

39.22%

3rd Down %

30.61%

5 (1.25)

Turnovers (per game)

8 (2.00)


*Takeaways include opponents’ failed 4th-down conversion attempts.

No. 7 Penn State

Defense

UCLA

11.8

Points Allowed PG

31.3

154.5

Pass Yards Allowed PG

169.0

119.5

Rush Yards Allowed PG

232.8

34.38%

Opponent 3rd Down %

58.00%

12 (3.00)

Takeaways (per game)

6 (1.50)


Players To Watch on Offense

No. 7 Penn State (Spread Offense)

  • QB Drew Allar, Sr.

    • Overall (4 games)

      • Passing: 71-for-113, 763 yds, 6 TD, 2 INT

      • Rushing: 19 car, 95 yds, 0 TD

    • Conference (1 game)

      • Passing: 14-for-25, 137 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT

      • Rushing: 9 car, 42 yds, 0 TD

    • 2024 Away (5 games)

      • Passing: 113-for-164, 1,472 yds, 13 TD, 5 INT

      • Rushing: 32 car, 168 yds, 2 TD

  • RB Kaytron Allen, Sr.

    • Overall (4 games): 46 car, 327 yds, 4 TD

    • Conference (1 game): 12 car, 54 yds, 1 TD

    • 2024 Away (5 games): 64 car, 316 yds, 3 TD

  • WR Trebor Pena, R-Sr.+

    • 2020-24: Syracuse

    • Overall (4 games)

      • Receiving: 15 rec, 182 yds, 1 TD

      • Rushing: 8 car, 68 yds, 0 TD

    • Conference (1 game)

      • Receiving: 2 rec, 16 yds, 0 TD

      • Rushing: 3 car, 22 yds, 0 TD

    • 2024 Away (5 games)

      • Receiving: 38 rec, 337 yds, 0 TD

      • Rushing: 4 car, 17 yds, 0 TD

UCLA (Spread Offense)

  • QB Nico Iamaleava, R-So.

    • 2023-24: Tennessee

    • Overall (4 games)

      • Passing: 81-for-124, 788 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT

      • Rushing: 44 car, 204 yds, 1 TD

    • Conference (1 game)

      • Passing: 19-for-27, 180 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT

      • Rushing: 14 car, 65 yds, 0 TD

    • Home (2 games)

      • Passing: 33-for-56, 353 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT

      • Rushing: 19 car, 154 yds, 0 TD

  • RB Anthony Woods, R-Jr.

    • 2022-23: Idaho (FCS)

    • 2024: Utah (redshirted)

    • Overall (4 games)

      • Rushing: 25 car, 127 yds, 0 TD

      • Receiving: 13 rec, 103 yds, 1 TD

    • Conference (1 game)

      • Rushing: 4 car, 10 yds, 0 TD

      • Receiving: 3 rec, 12 yds, 0 TD

    • Home (2 games)

      • Rushing: 13 car, 77 yds, 0 TD

      • Receiving: 8 rec, 76 yds, 1 TD

  • WR Kwazi Gilmer, So.

    • Overall (4 games): 19 rec, 225 yds, 1 TD

    • Conference (1 game): 3 rec, 51 yds, 0 TD

    • Home (2 games): 8 rec, 87 yds, 0 TD


Players To Watch on Defense

No. 2 Penn State (4-2-5 Defense)

  • DE Dani Denis-Sutton, Sr.

    • Overall (4 games): 16 tot, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks

    • Conference (1 game): 7 tot, 0 TFL, 0 sacks

    • 2024 Away (5 games): 14 tot, 4 TFL, 1 sack

  • LB Amare Campbell, Jr.

    • 2023-24: North Carolina

    • Overall (4 games): 37 tot, 3 TFL, 1 sack

    • Conference (1 game): 15 tot, 0 TFL, 0 sacks

    • 2024 Away (5 games): 23 tot, 5 TFL, 4 sacks

  • FS Zakee Wheatley, R-Sr.

    • Overall (4 games): 18 tot, 0 INT, 1 PD

    • Conference (1 game): 10 tot, 0 INT, 0 PD

    • 2024 Away (5 games): 24 tot, 0 INT, 0 PD

UCLA (4-3 Defense)

  • DE Kechaun Bennett, R-Sr.

    • 2021-2024: Michigan

    • Overall (4 games): 14 tot, 2 TFL, 1 sacks

    • Conference (1 game): 3 tot, 1 TFL, 0 sacks

    • Home (2 games): 6 tot, 0 TFL, 0 sacks

  • LB JonJon Vaughns, R-Sr.

    • Overall (4 games): 47 tot, 1 TFL, 0 sacks

    • Conference (1 game): 12 tot, 0 TFL, 0 sacks

    • Home (2 games): 25 tot, 1 TFL, 0 sacks

  • SS Cole Martin, R-So.

    • 2023: Oregon

    • 2024: Arizona State

    • Overall (4 games): 26 tot, 0 INT, 2 PD

    • Conference (1 game): 9 tot, 0 INT, 0 PD

    • Home (2 games): 14 tot, 0 INT, 1 PD


Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: There’s no better time than the present for Penn State to keep their eyes on the prize. Though there may be some early mistakes, expect the Nittany Lions to roll. No. 3 Penn State 40, UCLA 10.

 
 
 

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