Penn State Dominates UCLA 27-11: Nittany Lions Bounce Back at Rose Bowl
The Penn State Nittany Lions delivered a statement performance on Saturday, October 5, 2025, defeating UCLA 27-11 at the historic Rose Bowl. After the heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Oregon, James Franklin's team showed resilience and dominance on both sides of the ball in this crucial road victory.
Final Score and Game Summary
Penn State 27, UCLA 11
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California Date: October 5, 2025 Attendance: 68,142
Scoring by Quarter
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State | 7 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
| UCLA | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
Drew Allar Leads Offensive Efficiency
Drew Allar bounced back from the Oregon loss with a composed and efficient performance, completing 22 of 31 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. The senior quarterback showed excellent decision-making and utilized the full arsenal of Penn State's offensive weapons.
Key Offensive Stats:
- Total yards: 389
- First downs: 24
- Third down conversions: 8-14 (57%)
- Time of possession: 33:42
Allar's two touchdown passes went to tight end Tyler Warren (47 yards) and wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (28 yards). Warren continued his All-American caliber season with 7 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Dominant Defensive Performance
The Penn State defense was the story of the game, holding UCLA to just 11 points and 267 total yards. The Nittany Lions' pass rush consistently pressured UCLA quarterback Justyn Martin, recording 4 sacks and 8 tackles for loss.
Defensive Standouts:
- Tony Rojas: 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, forced fumble
- Amare Campbell: 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup
- Dani Dennis-Sutton: 8 tackles, 1 sack, constant pressure
- Jaylen Reed: 7 tackles, 1 interception, returned 28 yards
The defense set the tone early, holding UCLA to a field goal on their opening drive and then shutting them out for the next three quarters. UCLA's only touchdown came late in the fourth quarter when the game was already decided.
Running Game Balance
The Nittany Lions' running back duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen combined for 152 yards on 31 carries, providing the balance that kept UCLA's defense honest.
Rushing Stats:
- Nicholas Singleton: 17 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD (5.2 yards per carry)
- Kaytron Allen: 14 carries, 63 yards (4.5 yards per carry)
Singleton's 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave Penn State a comfortable 27-3 lead and essentially put the game out of reach.
Game Flow: Penn State Control Throughout
First Half Dominance (20-3)
Penn State established control early, scoring on their opening drive when Allar connected with Warren on a perfectly thrown 47-yard touchdown pass. The Nittany Lions' defense forced a three-and-out on UCLA's second possession, and Penn State capitalized with a field goal to make it 10-3.
Late in the second quarter, Allar found Harrison Wallace III in the end zone from 28 yards out, extending the lead to 17-3. A late field goal made it 20-3 at halftime, and Penn State was in complete control.
Second Half: Defense Dominates
The third quarter saw Penn State extend the lead to 27-3 on Singleton's rushing touchdown. The defense continued to stifle UCLA's offense, not allowing a single point until garbage time in the fourth quarter.
UCLA's late touchdown with 3:42 remaining made the score 27-11, but it was too little, too late for the Bruins.
Key Statistics
Team Statistics
| Category | Penn State | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 24 | 16 |
| Total Yards | 389 | 267 |
| Passing Yards | 237 | 185 |
| Rushing Yards | 152 | 82 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Penalties-Yards | 4-32 | 7-61 |
| Time of Possession | 33:42 | 26:18 |
Individual Leaders
Passing:
- Drew Allar (PSU): 22/31, 237 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
- Justyn Martin (UCLA): 18/32, 185 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing:
- Nicholas Singleton (PSU): 17 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD
- T.J. Harden (UCLA): 12 carries, 48 yards
Receiving:
- Tyler Warren (PSU): 7 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD
- Harrison Wallace III (PSU): 5 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD
What This Victory Means for Penn State
Bouncing Back From Adversity
This victory demonstrated Penn State's resilience after the devastating Oregon loss. The team could have folded on the road against a desperate UCLA team, but instead showed mental toughness and execution in all three phases.
Defensive Identity Restored
After allowing 30 points to Oregon in double overtime, the Penn State defense returned to its dominant form. Holding UCLA to 11 points and forcing 2 turnovers showed that the Oregon performance was an aberration, not a trend.
Playoff Hopes Alive
At 4-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play, Penn State keeps its College Football Playoff hopes very much alive. The Nittany Lions control their own destiny in the Big Ten and showed they can win on the road against quality opponents.
Drew Allar's Maturity
Allar's zero-turnover performance after the crucial interception against Oregon showed growth and mental toughness. His ability to bounce back from adversity will be crucial for Penn State's championship aspirations.
What's Next
Penn State (4-1, 2-1 Big Ten)
The Nittany Lions return home to face Wisconsin next Saturday at Beaver Stadium. The Badgers bring a physical style that will test Penn State's offensive and defensive lines.
Key Questions Moving Forward:
- Can the offensive line continue to improve in pass protection?
- Will the defense maintain this dominant level of play?
- How will the team handle the growing pressure of playoff expectations?
UCLA (1-4, 0-3 Big Ten)
The Bruins continue to struggle in their first Big Ten season. After this loss, UCLA must regroup and find ways to generate more offense as they face a challenging conference schedule.
Standout Performances
Tyler Warren: All-American Campaign Continues
Warren's 7-reception, 118-yard, 1-touchdown performance added to his growing case for All-American honors. The senior tight end is on pace for another 1,000-yard season and remains Drew Allar's most reliable target.
Tony Rojas: Defensive Star Emerges
In Abdul Carter's absence (now in the NFL), Rojas has stepped up as a leader of the defensive line. His 2-sack, 3-TFL performance with a forced fumble showed he can be a difference-maker in big games.
Jaylen Reed: Ball Hawk Safety
Reed's interception was his third of the season, and his 28-yard return set up a Penn State field goal. The senior safety continues to be the quarterback of the secondary and a crucial playmaker on defense.
Final Thoughts
Penn State's 27-11 victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl was exactly what the Nittany Lions needed after the Oregon heartbreak. The defense dominated from start to finish, Drew Allar played mistake-free football, and the team showed the mental toughness to win on the road in a potentially trap game.
As Penn State returns home to face Wisconsin, the Nittany Lions have momentum and confidence. The playoff path is clear: win and keep winning. This victory keeps those championship dreams very much alive.
Final Score: Penn State 27, UCLA 11
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