By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The UCLA Bruins continued their impressive start to the season Saturday night, defeating Wisconsin 17-7 to improve to 6-0 for the first time since 2022 and move up to No. 9 in this week’s poll.
Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach stepped into the starting role and delivered a solid performance, completing 22 of 33 passes for 264 yards in his first start as a Bruin. Running backs Wayne “Roadrunner” Knight and Anthony Woods each scored a rushing touchdown to help secure the victory.
Dieffenbach, who filled in for injured starter Nico Iamaleava, said confidence in his teammates helped him settle into the game.
“Just confidence in my receivers, confidence in my O-line. We’ve thrown these throws more than 100 times now. The receivers believed in me,” Dieffenbach said.
He said he tried to keep the moment in perspective before kickoff, but the experience became especially meaningful as the game progressed.
“Before the game, I was just saying, it’s just another game. Don’t want to make the moment too big,” he said. “In that fourth quarter, hearing ‘California Love,’ and just five years ago I was sitting in the stands watching guys do this and now I’m there. It was special to me.”
Dieffenbach also credited the Bruins’ preparation on third downs, saying the team had worked on those situations throughout the week.
“Starting on Monday nights, we’re working every single day on third down,” he said. “They showed a lot of man [coverage] on third down, which is good for us. Our guys go out there and make a play, and that’s what happened tonight.”
Beyond the victory, Dieffenbach said he appreciated the opportunity to inspire young athletes from his community.
“I think, for me, it’s more about them. Being an inspiration to those guys. You can do this. Guys from our high school — you can play ball at the highest level,” he said. “It was awesome seeing all of them show out, and I appreciate all of them coming out tonight.”
Defense Sets the Tone
UCLA’s defense played a major role in the victory, holding Wisconsin to 214 total yards, including just 66 passing yards. James led the Bruins in tackles with nine.
Fifth-year senior defensive back Mason Rivera credited the coaching staff and defensive front for limiting the Badgers’ passing attack and containing their quarterback.
“Credit to the coaches, their plan going into the game. The front seven rushed the quarterback, and we knew that he was elusive and could make plays with his feet,” Rivera said. “We just wanted to keep him in the pocket and to be sound on the forward two, going into this game, and I thought we did a pretty good job of that.”
Editor’s note: The quoted phrase “sound on the forward two” is unclear in the supplied copy and should be checked against the original recording before publication.
UCLA coach Bob Chesney continued his strong start, becoming the first coach in program history to begin his tenure with that many wins, according to the supplied report.
“That’s the most important thing is that I believe in these guys,” Chesney said.
The Bruins improved to 4-0 in Big Ten play despite playing without Iamaleava, who injured his leg the previous week at Oregon.
Wisconsin Struggles With Penalties
Wisconsin, which fell to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, cut UCLA’s lead to 10-7 on quarterback Colton Joseph’s 3-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The Badgers had been held scoreless in the first half.
Joseph completed 6 of 16 passes for 66 yards and led Wisconsin in rushing with 71 yards on 18 carries.
Penalties proved costly for the Badgers, who committed 10 infractions for 102 yards, including four on their second drive.
“There’s no way we can go on the road and have as many penalties and play as undisciplined as we did,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said. “We didn’t have the consistency to do the little things well, and it showed up.”
Wisconsin suffered two more setbacks in the fourth quarter. Safety Matt Jung was ejected for targeting during UCLA’s scoring drive, which ended with Woods’ 3-yard touchdown run to make it 17-7. The touchdown stood after a review despite an apparent bobble.
On Wisconsin’s next possession, Darrion Dupree appeared to gain a first down with a 2-yard run to the UCLA 46-yard line. Officials overturned the ruling after determining he had fallen just short of the line to gain following a big hit by Sammy Omosigo.
The Bruins will look to extend their winning streak next Saturday when they host Michigan State, continuing a stretch of three consecutive home games.