Key turnovers lead UCLA to 28-10 win over Michigan State

PASADENA, Calif. — The No. 9 UCLA Bruins have ridden an opportunistic defense to an unbeaten start, forcing more turnovers than any team in the nation.

First-year head coach Bob Chesney watched that defensive identity continue Saturday, as UCLA forced three takeaways in a 28-10 victory over the Michigan State Spartans at the Rose Bowl.

"What a great job by the defense to step up," Chesney said. "That was a big-time deal."

The Big Ten matchup featured two teams with vastly different track records when it came to forcing turnovers.

Michigan State entered the game with just three takeaways through seven games, tied for the fewest in the nation. As for UCLA, they had forced 19 turnovers, including a season-high seven in its upset win over Oregon.

For the Spartans to pull off a road upset as double-digit underdogs, they needed to flip that script by starting fast and creating turnovers — something they had struggled to do all season.

They wasted little time doing both.

On UCLA's opening drive, the Bruins collected three first downs and crossed into Spartan territory looking to strike first. But on second-and-10 from the Michigan State 36-yard line, senior running back Anthony Woods lost the ball after safety Devin Vaught forced it out. Vaught scooped it up and returned it 56 yards to the UCLA 15-yard line.

Two plays later, the Spartans made the Bruins pay.

True freshman quarterback Kayd Coffman, making his first career start, found Kenneth Williams wide open out of the backfield for a 14-yard touchdown pass, giving Michigan State an early lead.

“I got to have better ball security,” Woods said. “I have to flush (the fumble). Next play mentality. Bad things happen sometimes, but you have to push through adversity.”

UCLA’s defense quickly gave the offense an opportunity to respond. The Bruins jarred the ball loose from Williams, and linebacker Sammy Omosigho recovered the fumble inside the Michigan State red zone.

The Bruins quickly capitalized on the short field, as senior running back Jaivian Thomas scampered for a 7-yard touchdown to tie the game, recording his fourth rushing score of the season.

But UCLA’s momentum was short-lived. On the ensuing drive, Thomas appeared to pick up a first down on third-and-7 from the Michigan State 34-yard line before Vaught punched the ball loose for his second forced fumble of the half. Nikai Martinez recovered for the Spartans and returned it 56 yards before quarterback Ty Dieffenbach tracked him down to prevent a defensive touchdown.

Despite the offense’s second lost fumble, UCLA’s defense once again had an answer.

After a direct-snap run went nowhere on first down, Coffman dropped back and fired toward the right side. Defensive back Donavyn Pellot read the pass, stepped in front of the throw and returned the interception 67 yards, swinging momentum back to the Bruins.

"He's just a steady, steady football player," Chesney said of Pellot. "You see him, his size, his explosiveness, his physicality, his toughness, his intelligence. "When he has his moments, he's making the most out of them."

UCLA turned the takeaway into points for the second time, as fifth-year running back Wayne Knight punched in a 1-yard touchdown to give the Bruins a 14-7 lead. The score extended Knight’s streak to seven consecutive games with a rushing touchdown and gave him 12 on the season.

"It's 14 points that Ty ends up saving there," Chesney said. " I thought Ty's response at that moment of making sure he held that kid up until help showed up [was] everything."

In the closing moments of the first half, Dieffenbach appeared to sustain a lower-body injury after being hit by multiple Spartan defenders, gingerly leaving the field with assistance from medical staff.

However, Dieffenbach returned to the field to start the second half, and the Bruins’ offense found its rhythm.

Dieffenbach connected with Brian Rowe Jr. on a perfectly placed 63-yard touchdown pass, giving the 6-foot-6 signal-caller his second passing touchdown of the season and his first in front of the home crowd. Woods followed with his sixth rushing touchdown, extending UCLA’s lead to 21.

The four-yard score marked the third time this season that Knight, Woods and Thomas had each recorded a rushing touchdown in the same game.

"That's a room that is talented, physical, tough and works as hard as any other room out there, Chesney said. "It's cool to see them working together."

UCLA’s three-headed monster in the backfield has helped the Bruins dominate the trenches and establish themselves as one of the most dangerous rushing attacks in the country.

“We can do a lot," Woods said. We can catch out the backfield. We feed off each other's energy, we make plays for the team and try to win."

While UCLA’s offense took control, the defense delivered the final blow. With fewer than five minutes remaining, Malik Hartford intercepted backup quarterback Leo Hannan to secure the Bruins’ third takeaway of the afternoon and seal Michigan State’s sixth consecutive loss.

UCLA’s dominance extended beyond the turnover margin. The defense did not allow a single completion for 39 minutes and 53 seconds of game time, spanning from 6:04 in the first quarter to 11:11 in the fourth. The Spartans also managed just 47 rushing yards on 29 carries (1.6 yards per attempt) while struggling to convert on third down (2-11).

"We know what we are trying to reach – becoming the best defense in the country," linebacker Jalen Woods said. "That is what we strive for."

Meanwhile, UCLA’s offense outgained Michigan State 443-156, recorded 10 plays of at least 10 yards and dominated on the ground, out-rushing the Spartans 245-47.

Sporting baby blue throwback uniforms inspired by the 1954 national championship team, the Bruins improved to 7-0 for the first time since 2005 and just the eighth time in program history. The victory also extended head coach Bob Chesney’s regular-season winning streak to 17 games.

One thing is clear: this UCLA team is bought into one another, and that belief is translating into wins.

“It’s all about winning,” Jalen Woods said. "Anyone who touches in between the white lines, any of those 11 people, anybody can help us to win whether if you are the first string or if you’re a freshman or a third string, if you could help us to be successful on the field, you will be out there."

That collective mindset has helped the Bruins overcome adversity and find different ways to win. With UCLA off to its best start in more than two decades, Chesney believes his team’s confidence is a major reason for its success.

“They feel like they’re 100 percent positive they can win every single game when they walk on that field,” Chesney said. “They walk on, they’re confident. They don’t overthink about anything and think it’s special.”

As the Bruins look to extend their unbeaten start against the Nevada Wolf Pack on Halloween next week, Chesney knows his team is capable of elevating its performance even further.

“We’ve got to continue to elevate this and take it to the next level."