UCLA pulled off the biggest upset of the 2025 season so far with a stunning 42-37 win over No. 7 Penn State. Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava finished with a career-high five total touchdowns as UCLA snapped a 16-game losing streak against AP top-10 teams. The Bruins’ last win over a top-10 opponent came in 2010 against Texas.
But the win didn’t come without late drama. Penn State got the ball back at the two-minute warning after UCLA went for it on fourth-and-inches from its own 32-yard line. The Nittany Lions stopped Iamaleava short and had a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar was tackled short of the sticks.
After Penn State used its final timeouts, UCLA intentionally ran into the end zone on the ensuing punt for a safety with 17 seconds left.
Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee this offseason, completed 17 of 24 passes for 166 yards and rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns — both career highs.
Coming into the game, UCLA (1-4, 1-1 Big Ten) was the only FBS team that hadn’t held a lead at any point this season. The Bruins entered as a 24.5-point underdog, the largest upset win by any team this year.
Penn State coach James Franklin has now lost three games as a favorite of at least 20 points.
The Nittany Lions (3-2, 0-2) were coming off a double-overtime loss to Oregon. The defeat snapped Penn State’s 34-game win streak against unranked opponents.
UCLA jumped out to an early 10-0 lead before Penn State even possessed the ball. The Bruins scored on their opening drive, then recovered a surprise onside kick to extend the lead to double digits in the opening minutes.
Allar gave Penn State life with his legs, including a 27-yard scramble on third-and-9 that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Kaytron Allen early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to six.
UCLA hosts Michigan State next week, while Penn State returns home to face Northwestern.
By the numbers: UCLA’s stunning upset over No. 7 Penn State
Largest upset win in FBS this season: UCLA entered as a 24.5-point underdog — the biggest outright upset of 2025 so far.
First 40-point game since 2023: The Bruins topped 40 points for the first time since a 42-7 win at Stanford in 2023.
Defeating an AP Top-10 team after 0-4 start: UCLA became just the sixth team in AP Poll history to beat a top-10 opponent after entering with an 0-4 record or worse.
- 2025: UCLA (0-4) def. No. 7 Penn State
- 1985: UTEP (0-6) def. No. 7 BYU
- 1958: Tulane (0-4) def. No. 6 Navy
- 1953: Purdue (0-4) def. No. 2 Michigan State
- 1941: Pitt (0-5) def. No. 3 Fordham
Penn State streak snapped: The Nittany Lions’ 34-game win streak against unranked teams was snapped — the third-longest active streak entering the week. Active streaks entering Week 6:
- Georgia: 43 (extended Saturday)
- Oregon: 35
- Penn State: 34 (ended)
Iamaleava’s rare performance: UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava became the first Bruin since 2022 (Dorian Thompson-Robinson) to post at least two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in a game vs. a ranked opponent. He’s also the third UCLA QB since 2000 with at least two passing and two rushing TDs in a single game:
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson — 6 times
- Brett Hundley — 5 times
- Nico Iamaleava — 2025
Franklin’s struggles as a heavy favorite: Penn State coach James Franklin dropped to 0-3 in outright losses as a 20-plus point favorite.
- 2020: L, 35-19 vs. Maryland (-27.5)
- 2021: L, 20-18 (9 OT) vs. Illinois (-24.5)
- 2025: L, 42-37 at UCLA (-24.5)
Recent close calls:
- 2024: Beat Bowling Green 34-27 (-34.5)
- 2023: Beat Indiana 33-24 (-31; tied 24-24 in 4Q)
- 2025: Led FIU just 7-0 late in 2Q (-41.5)
Statistical milestones
- UCLA entered as the only FBS team that hadn’t held a lead all season.
- Penn State’s 17-point deficit was its largest vs. an unranked opponent since 2020 vs. Iowa (trailed by 24).
- The Nittany Lions have now lost 11 straight games when trailing by 17 or more (last comeback win: 2016 Big Ten Championship vs. Wisconsin).
- Penn State’s 20-point halftime deficit was its largest since 2020 at Nebraska (trailed by 21).
- PSU allowed 27 first-half points — after allowing just six total in the first half all season entering Saturday.
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