UCLA Upsets Penn State 42-37 at Rose Bowl

Penn State was stunned 42-37 by winless UCLA at the Rose Bowl, where the Bruins took a 27-7 halftime lead, recovered an onside kick and outgained the Nittany Lions. UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava accounted for five touchdowns (three rushing). The upset, coming a week after an overtime loss to No. 6 Oregon, leaves Penn State sliding in Big Ten play and damages College Football Playoff hopes. Penn State’s defense was repeatedly torn apart while the offense’s 37 points proved insufficient, prompting visible dejection from players. Thousands of fans booed and chanted “Fire Franklin” as coach James Franklin left the field, and critics noted his 4-21 record versus top-10 opponents. Analysts underscored the historic sting of the loss — Penn State became the first top-10 team in about 40 years to lose to a 0-4 opponent — intensifying scrutiny of the program.