UCLA Upsets Penn State 42-37 at Rose Bowl in Historic College Football Loss

Penn State suffered a shocking and historic upset loss to winless UCLA, falling 42-37 at the Rose Bowl, which was widely regarded as one of the most embarrassing defeats in the program's history. UCLA, despite recent coaching turmoil and poor season performance, dominated Penn State's defense, gaining 435 yards and converting 10 of 16 third downs, while Penn State never held a lead during the game. This loss has derailed Penn State's Big Ten and College Football Playoff aspirations, casting doubt on their ability to compete against top-tier teams, as they now sit at 0-2 in conference play. Analysts criticized Penn State head coach James Franklin for being outcoached by an interim UCLA staff with little experience at the Power Four level, highlighting ongoing issues with Penn State's defense, running backs, and senior leadership. The defeat has changed the dynamics in the Big Ten, with Penn State's decline opening the door for other teams like Ohio State and Oregon to dominate the conference race. The upcoming matchup against Northwestern is seen as a critical test for Penn State to recover from this setback and address deficiencies exposed by UCLA.