UCLA vs No. 7 Penn State Recap 2025: Bruins upset Nittany Lions, 42-37

PASADENA, CA — You would have to go back 11 months to find UCLA’s last football win. That drought ended today in a 42-37 win over No. 7 Penn State. The Bruins came out the gates playing as if they were the ones holding the No. 7-ranked title. With nothing to lose, playing spoiler could be the least they could do, and play spoiler they did. With that in mind, let’s dive into this exciting 2025 recap between UCLA vs. Penn State.

UCLA Bruins vs No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions 2025: Week 6 Recap

Despite a dense Penn State crowd, it didn’t take long for the Bruin faithful to come alive. Whether it was the decision to part ways with the head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, or simply a desperate attempt to secure a win, UCLA looked like a completely different football team.

After falling to Northwestern last week, interim head coach Tim Skipper rallied his squad to a much better outing against the Nittany Lions. Newly appointed offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel conducted an offense that effortlessly moved the chains (10-16 on third downs) and found the end zone a season-high five times.

Bruins Start Hot

For the first time this season, the Bruins scored on their opening drive and took the game’s first lead. Prior to the score, UCLA failed to notch a first-quarter score and had either trailed or been tied for 244 minutes and 34 seconds straight.

Following the first drive, Skipper opted to go aggressive and dialed up a surprise onside kick that the Bruins easily recovered. The Nittany Lions held up in the red zone as the Blue and Gold sent out kicker Mateen Bhaghani to secure an early 10-0 lead over the nation’s No. 7-ranked team.

“We were going to be super aggressive but not do dumb things,” Skipper mentioned. “A lot of film study [went into the onside kick call] … We practiced that thing just this week. It wasn’t something that we’ve been doing all season.”

The Nittany Lions immediately answered with a drive that was capped off by a Kaytron Allen rushing touchdown. However, that was all Penn State could produce in the first thirty minutes. UCLA kept its foot on the gas and maintained its momentum across all three phases.

Nico Iamaleava played his best game in a Bruins jersey. He threw for 166 yards on 17-24 passing and rushed for a career-high 124 yards en route to five total touchdowns. The transfer quarterback was threading the needle in tight windows, making unbelievable throws all over the field. He led UCLA to five straight scoring drives and put points on the board in seven of their 11 drives. Additionally, UCLA went a perfect 6-6 in the red zone.

“Big time players make big time plays, and that’s what [Iamaleava] did out there,” Skipper said. “He’s a football player! It doesn’t matter what the play call is, you have to always account for him. He rises to the occasion. … There’s no pressure too big for him.”

UCLA’s Defense Bends But Didn’t Break

Iamaleava’s defense kept Penn State neutralized for the majority of the game, forcing three fumbles (recovered one), six tackles for loss, one sack and holding the Nittany Lions to just 5-12 on third and fourth downs — their best performance.

Some of the stagnant offense by Penn State could be attributed to the heartbreak they suffered last week in a double overtime loss. However, that can’t discredit UCLA snapping Penn State’s 34-game winning streak against non-ranked opponents.

Late-Game Scare For Blue and Gold

The Nittany Lions didn’t enter Saturday’s contest as a top-10 team without reason, and the second half proved why. Exactly when the Blue and Gold were ready to stamp this game after forcing an early second-half turnover, Penn State capitalized on a blocked punt that was scooped and scored.

After being held to just seven points in the first half, Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar and running back Kaytron Allen combined for three touchdowns to aid a 30-point second half. Through the air, Allar recorded 200 yards and two touchdowns on a 73 percent clip. The lead back, Allen, contributed 50 yards on the ground and two touchdowns on a 6.3 yards per carry.

However, every time the Nittany Lions made a push, the Bruins responded.

UCLA’s Week 7 Outlook

The Bruins will look to ride their nation-wide upset into a Week 7 clash with the Spartans.

Michigan State currently sits at 3-2 and has yet to beat a Big Ten opponent. UCLA has a chance to recover from an ugly start and get back to salvaging its season. The matchup is set for a 9 a.m. kickoff at Spartan Stadium next Saturday.