Penn State’s national title hopes took a major hit Saturday night when No. 7 Penn State fell 42-37 to UCLA in a game that came down to one critical play. With under a minute left, the Nittany Lions faced a fourth-and-2 from the UCLA 9-yard line.
A touchdown could have tied the game, but the Bruins’ defense stood tall. Quarterback Drew Allar’s read-option run was blown up in the backfield, sealing one of the most dramatic upsets of the college football season.
After the game, Penn State head coach James Franklin described the call as a “QB power read” designed to get Allar into open space. But UCLA’s pressure disrupted everything.
“They brought edge pressure, which we knew it was coming,” Franklin said. “They beat the block, and we weren’t able to get around them.”
UCLA’s defense delivers at the goal line as Penn State’s comeback falls short
Penn State’s last possession began with promise after safety Zakee Wheatley stopped UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava on a fourth-and-short at the Bruins’ 32-yard line. With two minutes remaining, the Nittany Lions had a golden opportunity.
A false start by center Nick Dawkins set them back, but Drew Allar’s short scramble and Nick Singleton’s catch-and-run quickly moved the ball to the UCLA 17.
Allar’s first shot at the end zone, a dart to tight end Luke Reynolds, slipped through the sophomore’s hands. Singleton lost yardage on the next play, then Allar found Reynolds again for nine yards to set up the decisive fourth-and-2.
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On the snap, Allar placed the ball in motion, man, Trebor Pena's arms before pulling it back. UCLA linebacker JuJu Walls and defensive back Scooter Jackson broke through immediately.
Walls hit Pena, Jackson wrapped up Allar, and the quarterback was dropped for a 3-yard loss.
“Unfortunately, they had a really good call on that,” Allar said. “The kid made a really nice play coming off the edge. [The read] told me to pull it, and unfortunately the guy just folded inside.”
For UCLA, the moment was personal. Defensive back Key Lawrence praised Jackson, a Compton native, for predicting his own heroics.
“He literally said I’m about to go make this play, and went out there and did it,” Lawrence said.
Franklin accepted the outcome but credited the Bruins’ aggressive coverage. Penn State’s comeback effort ended inches short, leaving UCLA to celebrate a defining 42-37 upset in Pasadena.