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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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UCLA survived a late Illinois push Friday night to reach 10-0 for the first time since 1998. The 22-14 victory at the Rose Bowl also made the Bruins the first FBS team to reach 10 wins this season, according to the College Football Playoff’s official account.
With two regular-season games remaining, Bob Chesney’s team remains unbeaten in Big Ten play and has given UCLA a November finish few could have envisioned after last season’s 3-9 record.
Getting there required more than an early lead.
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Illinois cut UCLA’s advantage to 19-14 with 7:14 remaining and later moved past midfield with a chance to go ahead. Scooter Jackson stopped that possession with his second interception of the night, setting up a 37-yard Mateen Bhaghani field goal that extended the lead to eight.
The Bruins then forced a turnover on downs on Illinois’ final possession, protecting a perfect record that had looked increasingly vulnerable during the fourth quarter.
“They just believe that they have a shot to win every game and that they’re going to find a way,” Chesney said afterward.
That belief was tested when quarterback Ty Dieffenbach dealt with an injury scare. He returned to a loud reception from the home crowd and helped UCLA deliver a touchdown drive when its offense needed one.
Chesney pointed to Dieffenbach greeting teammates along the sideline upon his return as evidence of his growing leadership. The quarterback later described getting his arm caught underneath him on a tackle, but said the issue was not serious.
Dieffenbach finished 13-for-20 for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Aidan Mizell supplied the biggest receiving performance, catching six passes for 176 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown that opened the scoring.
A third-quarter safety helped UCLA build a 12-0 lead. After Illinois answered, Dieffenbach found Semaj Morgan for a 26-yard touchdown to restore a two-possession cushion. The Bruins’ defense ultimately held Illinois to 240 yards and intercepted three passes.
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The victory added another distinction to Chesney’s first season.
No previous UCLA coach had opened his tenure with 10 consecutive wins. The Bruins have also improved their win total by seven from last year, the largest year-over-year increase in program history, according to UCLA’s postgame notes.
UCLA now travels to Michigan on Nov. 21 before hosting USC on Nov. 28. Two games separate the Bruins from an unbeaten regular season. Friday’s narrow escape showed how quickly that opportunity can come under threat — and how UCLA has kept finding the plays to preserve it.
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