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Max Brosmer threw a pair of touchdowns as Minnesota rallied from a 10-0 halftime deficit to post a 21-17 win over a struggling UCLA team that has endured a brutal season. The Gophers improved to 4-3 while the Bruins fell to 1-5 on the season.
UCLA rallied to take a 17-14 lead, but the final Gopher drive won the game. Minnesota remained in the thick of the Big Ten's bowl hunt by bouncing a UCLA team that has experienced a nightmare season to this point.
Minnesota lost a heart-breaker to North Carolina in Week 1 but did regain some forward momentum with last week's 24-17 win over No. 11 USC. The Gophers have also lost to Iowa and Michigan but at 2-3 in league play, will remain in bowl contention.
Meanwhile, UCLA is one of only three Big Ten teams without a conference win so far. After a three-point win at Hawaii to open the season, the Bruins had lost four in a row by 16 points or more. UCLA also has yet to top 17 points in a game this season.
Minnesota was a 3.5-point favorite even on the road, making one of the longer trips in the new Big Ten's conference alignment.
Minnesota vs. UCLA Box Score
Minnesota Passing Stats
Minnesota Rushing and Receiving Stats
Minnesota Kicking Stats
UCLA Passing Stats
UCLA Rushing and Receiving Stats
UCLA Kicking Stats
Game Summary
After a Minnesota three and out to open the game, UCLA drove 59 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 1-yard plunge from Keegan Jones. Shortly before halftime, UCLA drove for another field goal, with a 34-yard Bhaghani field goal extending the halftime lead to 10-0 on the final play of the first half.
Minnesota responded strongly in the second half. On the first two possessions of the half, the Gophers took advantage of short fields, driving 46 and 38 yards for touchdowns to take the lead. Brosmer connected with Elijah Spencer for a 12-yard score and then rusher Darius Taylor added a 2-yard score.
But UCLA struck back for a score midway through the fourth quarter. The drive was a 9-play, 89-yard march, with the final 42 yards coming on a pass from Ethan Garbers to J. Michael Sturdivant. The Bruins grabbed a 17-14 lead.
Minnesota answered with a seven-play, 61-yard drive to take the lead with just 32 seconds remaining after a four-yard pass from Brosmer to Darius Taylor.
Minnesota climbed to 4-3 heading into a week off and then a home game with Maryland in two weeks. UCLA fell to 1-5 and will play at Rutgers next week.
- UCLA: Keegan Jones, 1 yard TD run, (Bhaghani XPT) 7-0, 8:49 left in 1st quarter
- UCLA: Mateen Bhaghani, 34 yard field goal, 10-0, 0:00 left in 2nd quarter
- Minnesota: Elijah Spencer, 12 yard TD pass from Max Brosmer (Kesich XPT), 10-7, 10:33 left in 3rd quarter
- Minnesota: Darius Taylor, 2 yard TD run, (Kesich XPT), 14-10, 7:16 left in 3rd quarter
- UCLA: J. Michael Sturdivant, 42 yard TD pass from Ethan Garbers, (Bhaghani XPT), 17-14, 6:54 left in 4th quarter
- Minnesota: Darius Taylor 4 yard TD pass from Max Brosmer (Kesich XPT), 21-17, 0:27 left in 4th quarter.
