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10/24 19:33 CDT No. 9 UCLA rallies past Michigan State 28-10 for its first 7-0
start since 2005
No. 9 UCLA rallies past Michigan State 28-10 for its first 7-0 start since 2005
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) --- Ty Dieffenbach threw a 63-yard touchdown pass and
handed off for three others as No. 9 UCLA beat Michigan State 28-10 on Saturday
for the Bruins' first 7-0 start since 2005.
UCLA (5-0 Big Ten) briefly trailed early for the first time since a 17-15 win
at then-No. 13 Oregon two weeks ago. The Bruins outgained the Spartans 443-156.
The undermanned and underdog Spartans (2-6, 0-5) led 7-0 after Devin Vaught
recovered Jalen Woods' fumble and ran 56 yards to the UCLA 15-yard line. That
helped set up third-string quarterback Kayd Coffman's 14-yard TD pass to
Keshawn Williams in the first quarter.
"As the game went along we gave up too many big plays, turned the ball over at
an inopportune time, and then gave up the big explosive touchdown to start the
second half," Spartans coach Pat Fitzgerald said.
Making his first career start, Coffman completed 4 of 10 passes for 42 yards,
one TD and one interception. With the team sputtering, Leo Hannan took over in
the fourth and was 9 of 15 for 67 yards. He got picked off by UCLA's Malik
Hartford late in the game.
"We had confidence in both guys," Fitzgerald said.
After a sluggish start that included their first two fumbles at home, the
Bruins pulled away.
"It was sloppy," coach Bob Chesney said. "Two fumbles, two drops, two holding
penalties. That's ultimately what happened out there. You can't do it if you
want to win really close games. We're taking three, four touchdowns off the
board by doing that."
Jaivian Thomas' 7-yard TD run tied it 7-all and Wayne Knight scored on a 1-yard
plunge for his 12th TD on the ground --- and 13th overall --- that put UCLA
ahead 14-7 in the second quarter.
Dieffenbach hit Brian Rowe Jr. for a 63-yard TD to cap a four-play, 75-yard
drive early in the third. Jalen Woods added a 4-yard TD run on the Bruins'
second possession of the quarter.
Knight finished with 15 carries for 56 yards before getting hit in his side and
leaving. Woods led the way with 12 carries for 87 yards.
Woods had UCLA's first fumble and Thomas the second.
"That's not what we're looking for, but I loved their response," Chesney said.
Dieffenbach completed 18 of 31 passes for 198 yards in his second start since
Nico Iamaleava went down with a season-ending knee injury. He got banged up
going into halftime.
"Our defense was so good," Dieffenbach said. "Just feeding off that energy, a
bunch of guys coming over and just saying, ?Let's go, man. We got you.'"
The Spartans, who have lost six in a row, were already without their top two
running backs. Then third-stringer Marvis Parrish got hurt on the third play of
the game after a first down. He had to be helped off the field while leaning
heavily on staffers on either side. The Spartans' drive ended in a punt.
Another Spartans player was injured on UCLA's opening drive. Defensive tackle
Ben Roberts went down a week after a career outing in a 24-21 loss to then-No.
25 Northwestern. He had career highs in tackles (8), tackles for loss (3) and
two sacks.
The takeaway Michigan State: The Spartans fell to 0-3 against ranked opponents. The upcoming bye week will give them a much-needed chance to rest and recover. UCLA: The Bruins dominated the second and third quarters, when they outgained the Spartans 280-13. They could move up in the top 10 heading into a very winnable non-conference game next weekend.
Up next Michigan State: After a bye week, visits rival Michigan on Nov. 7. UCLA: Hosts Nevada next Saturday in a non-conference game. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college football coverage here
The takeaway Michigan State: The Spartans fell to 0-3 against ranked opponents. The upcoming bye week will give them a much-needed chance to rest and recover. UCLA: The Bruins dominated the second and third quarters, when they outgained the Spartans 280-13. They could move up in the top 10 heading into a very winnable non-conference game next weekend.
Up next Michigan State: After a bye week, visits rival Michigan on Nov. 7. UCLA: Hosts Nevada next Saturday in a non-conference game. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college football coverage here
