UCLA (0-4, 0-1 Big Ten) is headed back to the Rose Bowl for Week 6 to play its first ranked opponent of the season. An angry No. 7 Penn State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) will head into Pasadena looking to bounce back from a loss in last week’s White Out game against the Oregon Ducks. As for the Blue and Gold, they are desperately searching for their first win. Let’s dive into this UCLA vs. Penn State 2025 game preview.
UCLA Bruins vs. Penn State Nittany Lions: Matchup History
Despite facing off last season, the two programs have recorded the majority of their rivalry in the 1960s.
In UCLA’s debut season in the Big Ten conference, Penn State welcomed the Bruins to Beaver Stadium with a 27-11 win. For what it’s worth, UCLA leads the all-time series 4-3 and has successfully defended home turf twice in three games. Nonetheless, the Bruins will need an all-time performance this weekend to pull through.
Head coach Tim Skipper and UCLA enter as +25.5 underdogs.
UCLA vs. Penn State 2025 Preview: Keys, Players and Predictions
Key Player for UCLA
It’s an obvious answer, but against a top-10 opponent, no other player on the field becomes more important than the quarterback. With no expectations to upset Penn State, Nico Iamaleava has the opportunity to flip the season narrative.
Although the Bruins haven’t been executing an elite brand of football, the blame cannot be solely placed on Iamaleava. The sophomore quarterback hasn’t been the game-changing player most thought he would be. However, he’s been asked to shoulder a lot of the load.
“[Iamaleava] running, taking some contact, getting hits actually helps him,” Skipper said. “I think he enjoys that part of the game, it settles him down. I like the way he progresses the game … He’ll keep getting better and better.
On the season, Iamaleava has thrown for 788 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions on a 65.3 percent completion rate. He also leads the Bruins’ rushing attack with 204 rushing yards and one touchdown. His name has been attached to all of UCLA’s five touchdowns this season.
With nothing to lose, Saturday could be a perfect setting for Iamaleava to get his hype train rolling again. He has the full offense at his disposal and a healthy group of talent around him. It’ll be up to the transfer quarterback to spark a generational outing.
Key Players for Penn State
The UCLA rush defense has been vulnerable all season, which bring us to running back Kaytron Allen.
The Bruins have allowed 232.8 rushing yards per game — the fourth most in the nation and the most in the Big Ten by a 59.3 margin. They’ve been dominated in the trenches, and opponents have had huge holes to run through. It should be no different for Allen on Saturday.
The senior back has improved every year since his freshman campaign and is on pace for his best season. Through four games, Allen has handled 46 carries, rushing for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Notably, he’s the only Big Ten player to have 300 yards with fewer than 50 attempts. Additionally, Allen has managed a career-high 7.1 yards per carry and is looking to reach a career-best five-straight games with a touchdown on Saturday.
The life-long Nittany Lion possesses the talent to hit a gap between the tackles as well as the ability to get to the outside and find the edge. He has the speed to make a house call and the power to lower his shoulder. He will likely share touches with his counterpart, Nicholas Singleton, but has been the more proven back this season.
Keys to a Bruins Win
For the Blue and Gold to have any hopes of winning, they must address their season-long issues. The same problems have haunted this team for five weeks, and neither a bye week nor a coaching change has seemed to work. It’s up to the players themselves to make a difference.
Offensively, Iamaleava needs to put up points in the first half, and his three-headed backfield must play a role. The running backs need to be effective not only in their touches but also in pass protection.
On the flip side, the defense can’t leave the game without clogging up rushing lanes and securing tackles behind the line of scrimmage. It would lead to more favorable down and distances for the Bruins.
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Eric Hayrapetian
Eric is a lifelong Angeleno and a sports journalist who graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. He joined The League Winners in January of 2025, and is the lead beat writer for the UCLA Bruins. Follow Eric on X (formerly known as Twitter) @EricHayrapetian.