Bruins Hope for Third Straight Win, Eye Upset of Iowa

Nov 7, 20242 min read

DeShaun Foster | HC UCLA — © Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten Conference) will play the UCLA Bruins (3-5, 2-4) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. at 9 pm EST. Iowa sits fifth in the Big Ten standings, and UCLA is searching for season-ending momentum.

Sullivan In, McNamara Out

Again, quarterback Brendan Sullivan will be the one leading the Iowa offense on the field. Sullivan came in against Northwestern after Cade McNamara was pulled after suffering a concussion. Some have speculated that the reason he has not been given the starting role back is due to the quarterback’s poor play.

McNamara suffered the concussion in the first half and since then, the Iowa offense has taken off. In their two-game win streak against the Northwestern Wildcats and Wisconsin Badgers, they have outscored their opponents 82-24. While it has been coincidental that the offense has seen a surge in their points, it hasn’t come through the air. Sullivan only has 172 passing yards, but he has completed 67 percent of his passes. McNamara was completing 60.5 percent of his passes and averaged just 127 passing yards.

Kaleb Johnson | RB Iowa — © Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Johnson Primed for Big Game

The real star of the show for the Hawkeyes is running back Kaleb Johnson. If it wasn’t for the season Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is having, Johnson could be in serious consideration for the Heisman Award. Still, Johnson may be the player to look out for against UCLA. Teams have been averaging 100 rushing yards against the Bruins this season. The Hawkeyes average 203 rushing yards per game.

Ethan Garbers | QB UCLA — © Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Upset in Pasadena?

For UCLA, an upset win would be huge for a team that’s strung two wins in a row against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Bruins carry this momentum back at home for the first time in three weeks after a close 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Oct. 12. Quarterback Ethan Garbers’ play has been the star of the Bruins' offense in the two wins. Gabers has thrown for 602 passing yards, 6 touchdowns and has completed 77 percent of his passes. The Iowa defense this year is holding teams to 203 passing yards. The current betting line according to ESPN favors Iowa by -6.5.