No. 8 UCLA football knocks out Minnesota, improves to 9-0

MINNEAPOLIS — Facing a top-22 Minnesota Gophers defense and sub-50-degree temperatures, UCLA passed its toughest road test yet on Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium, keeping its undefeated season alive.

The No. 8 Bruins improved to 9-0 with a 34-20 victory over Minnesota, becoming just the fourth team in program history to reach that mark and the first in nearly three decades (1998).

UCLA established control early, but it was a pivotal second half that ultimately decided the game. Coming out of halftime tied 10-10, both teams were looking to get ahead.

Facing a fourth and four from the UCLA 38-yard line, Gophers coach PJ Fleck sent kicker Luke Drzewiecki to attempt a 56-yard field goal. The ball sailed just right of the post. Drzewiecki missed his first two field goals of the season against UCLA and the Gophers were scoreless during the remainder of the third quarter.

Not even recovery of Bruins quarterback Ty Dieffenbach’s fumble could spark the Gophers’ offense.

No. 8 UCLA 34, Minnesota 20, end of game

UCLA started on its 36 after the punt.

Wayne Knight ran for 15 yards. Knight ran for six yards. Anthony Woods ran for three yards, triggering the two-minute timeout.

On third-and-one at the Minnesota 40, Woods ran for one yard. After the play, UCLA’s Eugene Brooks was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and a loss of 15 yards.

Ty Dieffenback took a knee three times to run out the clock.

No. 8 UCLA 34, Minnesota 20, 2:36 left in the fourth quarter

Minnesota started on its 25.

Drake Lindsey passed to Darius Taylor for three yards. Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass. Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass and Minnesota was called for holding, but UCLA declined it to force fourth down.

The crowd booed as Minnesota brought on the punting unit.

Semaj Morgan returned it to the UCLA 36.

No. 8 UCLA 34, Minnesota 20, 3:18 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 44 after the interception.

Anthony Woods ran for seven yards. Wayne Knight ran for 14 yards. Woods ran for two yards. Knight ran for 16 yards. Woods ran for three yards and one more yard.

Minnesota called timeout with 3:27 left.

Ty Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass.

Mateen Bhaghani hit a 36-yard field goal to extend UCLA’s lead.

No. 8 UCLA 31, Minnesota 20, 7:10 left in the fourth quarter

Minnesota started on its 25 after the touchback.

Drake Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass broken up by Ta’Shawn James. Lindsey tossed deep along the right sideline and Scooter Jackson intercepted the pass at the UCLA 44.

No. 8 UCLA 31, Minnesota 20, 7:21 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.

Ty Dieffenbach passed to Aiden Mizell for another 75-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

No. 8 UCLA 24, Minnesota 20, 12:41 left in the fourth quarter

Minnesota started on its 17 after the kickoff.

Darius Taylor ran for four yards. Drake Lindsey passed to Javon Tracy for one yard. Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass intended for Tracy, but Derrick Barksdale was called for holding.

On first down at the Minnesota 31 and Lindsey tossed a deep incomplete pass on a route well covered by Darold Dengohe. TJ Thomas ran for one yard. On third-and-nine, Lindsey passed to Tracy for 14 yards. Tracy was injured on the play.

On first down at the Minnesota 41, Lindsey passed to Jalen Smith along the right sideline for 35 yards.

Lindsey passed to Tracy, but Minnesota was called for block in the back. On first-and-20 at the UCLA 29, Lindsey passed to Taylor for nine yards. Taylor ran for two yards. Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass broken up by Sammy Omosigho. It was broken up by Cole Cogshell and Scott Taylor.

Luke Drzewiecki hit a 36-yard field goal to trim UCLA’s lead.

No. 8 UCLA 24, Minnesota 17, 12:41 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.

Ty Dieffenbach passed across the middle to open Aidan Mizell, who scored a 75-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

No. 8 UCLA 17, Minnesota 17, 12:50 left in the fourth quarter

Minnesota started at the UCLA 42 after the punt.

Drake Lindsey passed to TJ Thomas for eight yards as time expired in third quarter.

After the timeout, Darius Taylor ran for four yards. Lindsey passed to Noah Jennings for 26 yards. Minnesota direct snapped to Darius Taylor for a one-yard loss.

Lindsey lobbed a pass over the top to George Rohl in the end zone for a four-yard touchdown.

Minnesota hit the extra point to tie the game.

No. 8 UCLA 17, Minnesota 10, 20 seconds left in the third quarter

UCLA started on its one-yard line.

Wayne Knight ran for two yards. Knight ran for six yards. Ty Dieffenbach fumbled the snap and pitched to Knight for a loss of five yards. UCLA offensive lineman Hall Schmidt was injured on the play.

UCLA punted to the UCLA 42.

No. 8 UCLA 17, Minnesota 10, 1:58 left in the third quarter

Minnesota started on its 30 after the UCLA fumble.

Drake Lindsey passed to Jalen Smith for five yards. Darius Taylor rushed for three yards. Lindsey passed to Roman Voss for nine yards. Lindsey passed to TJ Thomas for eight yards. Xavier Ford ran for a loss of one yard. Lindsey tossed two incomplete passes intended for Smith.

Minnesota punted and the ball was downed it at the UCLA 1. The Bruins were called for roughing the punter, but the penalty was declined.

No. 8 UCLA 17, Minnesota 10, 5:21 left in the third quarter

UCLA started on the Minnesota 20 after the blocked punt.

Wayne Knight ran for seven yards. Knight ran for two yards. Play stopped to treat injured Minnesota players Jermone Williams and Jaylin Hicks.

Knight spun for two yards and the first down.

Jaivian Thomas ran for a 10-yard touchdown, but Eugene Brooks was called for holding. On first-and-goal at the Minnesota 19, Ty Dieffenbach was sacked for a nine-yard loss and fumbled. Minnesota recovered the ball at its 30.

No. 8 UCLA 17, Minnesota 10, 7:35 left in the third quarter

Minnesota started on its 34 after a kickoff return

Drake Lindsey stepped through the pocket and ran for no gain. Xavier Ford ran for three. On third-and-seven, Lindsey passed slightly behind his receiver and it fell incomplete.

UCLA’s Derrick Barkdsale blocked the Minnesota punt and it went out of bounds at the Minnesota 20.

No. 8 UCLA 17, Minnesota 10, 9:07 left in the third quarter

UCLA started on its 38 after the missed field goal.

Wayne Knight ran for 31 yards to the Minnesota 31. Knight ran for one yard. Anthony Woods ran for three yards. On third-and-six, Ty Dieffenbach passed to Noah Fox-Flores for a 27-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 10, 11:16 left in the third quarter

Minnesota returned the UCLA kickoff 35 yards to the Golden Gophers’ 42.

Xavier Ford ran for three yards and Darius Taylor ran for 11 yards. Ford ran for two yards, five yards and one yard.

Luke Drzewiecki missed a 56-yard field goal wide right. He entered the game with zero missed field goals and a history of nailing deep kicks, but he has missed two today against UCLA.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 10, end of second quarter

UCLA started on its 33.

Ty Dieffebach tried to pass across the middle to Noah Fox-Flores, Maverick Baranowski intercepted the pass at the UCLA 44.

Drake Lindsey passed to Jalen Smith for nine yards. Lindsey’s pass was intercepted by Dante Lovett, but Lovett was called for holding Jalen Smith.

On first down at the UCLA 25, Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass across the middle. Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-10, Lindsey passed to Darius Taylor for five yards.

Minnesota called timeout with three seconds left.

Luke Drzewiecki hit a 38-yard field goal to tie the game as time expired in the second quarter.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 7, 1:00 seconds left in second quarter

Minnesota started on its 20.

TJ Thomas ran for four yards and UCLA stripped the ball after the play had been called dead. The two-minute timeout was triggered.

Darius Taylor ran for two yards. On third-and-four, Minnesota was called for delay of game. On third-and-nine, Taylor ran for one yard.

Minnesota punted 45 yards and out of bounds at the UCLA 33.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 7, 2:22 seconds left in second quarter

UCLA started on its 35.

Starting center Riley Robell was injured on the Bruins’ previous drive, forcing a change in lineup.

Ty Dieffenbach ran for one yard. Dieffebach’s pass to Semaj Morgan was dropped. On third-and-nine, UCLA called timeout.

Dieffenbach ran for six yards.

UCLA punted into the end zone.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 7, 3:38 seconds left in second quarter

Minnesota takes over on its 27 after the fourth-down stop.

Drake Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass. TJ Thomas ran for three yards. Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass.

Minnesota punted to the UCLA 35.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 7, 4:57 seconds left in second quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after the Minnesota kickoff.

Ty Dieffenbach passed to Brian Rowe Jr. for 26 yards. Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass intended for Josh Phifer. Wayne Knight ran for one yard. On third-and-nine at the Minnesota 49, Dieffenbach rolled out of the pocket and passed under pressure to Leland Smith for 13 yards.

Dieffenbach passed slightly behind Jaivian Thomas, who was lined up to the left in a four-receiver formation, and he gained five yards. Anthony Woods was dropped as soon as he was handed the football for a loss of three yards. Anthony Woods ran for six yards. On fourth-and-two at the Minnesota 27, UCLA called timeout.

Knight was dropped for no gain and the Bruins turned the ball over on downs.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 7, 9:47 seconds left in second quarter

Minnesota started on its 39 after the UCLA punt

Drake Lindsey passed to Jalen Smith and he pushed for a 21-yard gain as time expired in the first quarter.

On first down at UCLA 40, TJ Thomas ran for four yards. Xavier Ford ran for five yards. Minnesota lined up a wildcat formation and faked a handoff before Taylor ran for no gain. On fourth-and-1, Taylor ran for one yard.

Lindsey’s pass intended for Roman Voss was incomplete and nearly intercepted by Scooter Jackson. Ford ran five yards.

On third-and-five, Minnesota called timeout. Lindsey passed to Jacob Simpson for 21 yards.

Lindsey’s pass was incomplete. Thomas ran for one yard. On third-and-goal at the UCLA 3, officials initially ruled Taylor ran for two yards. After review, the call was overturned and Taylor was credited with a three-yard touchdown.

Minnesota hit the extra point.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 0, 12 seconds left in first quarter

UCLA started at its 15 after the Minnesota punt.

Anthony Woods ran for two yards. Woods ran for four yards. Ty Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass.

UCLA punted to the Minnesota 39.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 0, 1:52 left in first quarter

Minnesota’s Quayd Hendryx returned a UCLA kickoff 45 yards to the Minnesota 45.

Darius Taylor ran for 12 yards. Javon Tracy ran for four yards, but Minnesota was called for a face mask penalty.

On first-and-23, Drake Lindsey passed to TJ Thomas for one yard. Lindsey’s options were covered and he passed out of bounds. On third-and-22, passed to Taylor for one yard.

Minnesota punted and Semaj Morgan took a fair catch at the 15.

No. 8 UCLA 10, Minnesota 0, 4:48 left in first quarter

UCLA started on its 38 after the missed Minnesota field goal.

Ty Dieffenbach kept the ball for an 18-yard run. Dieffenback tossed a short pass to Wayne Knight, who ran for 28 yards.

On first down at the Minnesota 16, Dieffenbach ran for a loss of one. Dieffebach scanned the field, then ducked out of the pocket and scrambled for 12 yards. Knight ran for three yards. On second-and-goal at the Minnesota 2, Jaivian Thomas ran for one yard. On third-and-goal at the Minnesota 1, Knight ran wide left for a one-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

This is the strongest start of the season for the UCLA offense, which usually takes more time to heat up.

No. 8 UCLA 3, Minnesota 0, 8:17 left in first quarter

Minnesota started on its 25 after a 24-yard return.

Darius Taylor ran for six yards. TJ Thomas ran for eight yards. Drake Lindsey passed for Xavier Ford, was tackled for a five-yard loss by Sammy Omosigho, fumbled it and recovered. The replay booth determined Ford did not complete a catch, erasing the five-yard loss.

On second-and-10 on the Minnesota 39, Lindsey passed to Jalen Smith for 15 yards. Scooter Jackson was offsides on the play, but the penalty was declined.

Taylor ran for a two-yard loss. Lindsey tossed an incomplete pass. Lindsey passed to Javon Tracy for 10 yards. On fourth-and-two, Minnesota called timeout.

Luke Drzewiecki missed a 56-yard field goal attempt wide right.

No. 8 UCLA 3, Minnesota 0, 12:20 left in first quarter

Minnesota won the coin toss and deferred.

UCLA started on its 25 after the opening kickoff touchback.

Ty Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass intended for Aidan Mizell. Wayne Knight ran for five yards. Dieffenbach passed across the middle to Semaj Morgan for a 55-yard gain.

Knight ran for two yards. UCLA called timeout to avoid a delay of game penalty. Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass intended for Mizell in the left corner of the end zone. On third-and-eight at the Minnesota 14, UCLA was called for delay of game. On third-and-13, Dieffenbach tossed an incomplete pass intended for Landon Ellis on the right side of the end zone. The pass was on target, but the defense contested it and it fell incomplete.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the 37-yard field goal.

UCLA football fans are accustomed to watching the Bruins struggle, so it took some time to believe new coach Bob Chesney really could back up his inspirational messages.

After a big road win against longtime nemesis Oregon, video posted online showed Chesney delivering a fiery speech to his team in the tunnel before facing the Ducks. He relayed the story of Spanish military commander Hernán Cortes telling his crew to burn boats behind them so that there was no way out but forward. The Bruins, he said, had to burn the boats and fight through the Ducks.

“His speech before the Oregon game — where he talked about burning boats — that just fires you up,” said Brian Jacobsen, a 1987 UCLA graduate. “It makes me want to run through a wall.”

As the kids of Smyrna, Del., bickered about who got to play the role of 5-foot-7 high school star tailback Wayne Knight during their pickup football games, Knight was blazing a trail under Friday night lights.

During Knight’s senior season, he ran for 1,406 yards and 30 touchdowns. He dominated state competition with the ardent support of the Smyrna community — a rural town centered around fishing, crabbing and waterfowl, with no more than 15,000 people.

All of Smyrna shut down when it was game day — supporting William Knight, Wayne’s older brother, who won three consecutive state titles and finished his career as the state’s all-time leading rusher.

The margin for error is thin.

Despite sitting atop the Big Ten with an undefeated record, the College Football Playoff selection committee slotted UCLA at No. 8 in its first rankings of the year, sitting behind a pair of two-loss Southeastern Conference teams and setting the stage for the Bruins to slip outside the 12-team playoff with one or two losses.

The Bruins, ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, are on the road for the first time in almost a month to face Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium, their toughest test since UCLA defeated Wisconsin on Oct. 17. The Golden Gophers — who defeated then-No. 13 Iowa on Oct. 24 and took then-No. 4 Indiana to overtime in Bloomington last week — give the Bruins an opportunity to silence critics questioning their strength of schedule. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. local time and 9 a.m. PST, the Bruins’ earliest start this season.

UCLA football coach Bob Chesney trusted Mateen Bhaghani enough to trot him out for a 58-yard field goal attempt before halftime during the Bruins’ 28-10 win over Michigan State.

Bhaghani drilled a 54-yard field goal during last season’s 42-37 upset against Penn State.

His attempt to surpass his career long of 57 yards against the Spartans last week fell short, but Bhaghani doesn’t linger long on errant kicks. He knows he will only be successful when his team needs him most if he focuses on the fine details of every kick.

Powered by four interceptions, including a pick-six from cornerback Derrick Barksdale in the first quarter, No. 7 UCLA defeated Nevada 27-0 on Saturday afternoon for its first shutout win at the Rose Bowl since 2007.

UCLA improved to 8-0 and continued its remarkable turnaround after winning just three games last season.

“Really good defensive plays that showed up in there,” UCLA coach Bob Chesney said, “and then just a lot to be desired at moments on the offensive side, but I thought overall to get yourself to 8-0 is a big deal, and to shut a team out at any level is a big deal.

“Wins are not the easiest thing to come by. I like where we’re at, and there’s a whole lot more that we have to continue to step up.”