Penn State will face UCLA on Saturday for the second straight season following the Bruins being implemented into the Big Ten as of 2024.
Last year, the Nittany Lions hosted the cross-country foe at Beaver Stadium and left with a victory. This time around, Penn State will travel to the West Coast for a contest at the Rose Bowl.
Just like with Oregon, the Nittany Lions have limited series history against the Bruins. But, they’ve had a handful of bouts in California or with Golden State-based programs. Here’s a bit of history.
All-time UCLA matchups
In 2024, Penn State got off to a slow start against UCLA but ultimately cruised to a 27-11 win. The Bruins cash in on a late-game touchdown, as wide receiver Logan Loya hauled in a 1-yard score on a pass from now-Maryland backup quarterback Justyn Martin with 16 seconds left in the game. Martin started in place of an injured Ethan Garbers.
Offensively, it was running back Kaytron Allen and wide receiver Liam Clifford that led the way for Penn State. Allen notched 21 carries for 78 yards on the ground while Clifford recorded three receptions for 107 yards.
The game also featured left guard Vega Ioane going in motion from the slot and leveling a UCLA defender as well as Ryan Barker making his debut as the starting kicker.
Quarterback Drew Allar (15) scores a rushing touchdown at the Penn State football game against UCLA in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Bruins 27-11.
Kate Hildebrand
Prior to last year’s tilt in Happy Valley, Penn State boasted a 1-2 record at home against the Bruins.
The first loss came in 1965 by a score of 24-22 while the second victory came in 1967 in another two-point victory, this time with the scoreboard reading 17-15.
Penn State lost the last two showdowns at home, but squeaked out a win in the first one. That victory was also the first-ever matchup between the two teams. That victory for the Nittany Lions came in 1963, winning 17-14.
The all-time record between Penn State and UCLA in games at the LA Memorial Coliseum will conclude by the Bruins having the upperhand.
UCLA now plays its games at Rose Bowl Stadium, which will be the first time both sides have squared off there. In turn, the record at the Coliseum will end with the Bruins holding the 2-1 advantage, unless the location pops up for a bowl game down the road or any other drastic circumstances.
The two victories for UCLA came in 1964 and 1966. The first win was a 21-14 final while the other was a 49-11 blowout.
Penn State’s lone win came in 1968, handing the Bruins a 21-6 defeat.
California clashes
Other than its matchups out west against UCLA, the Nittany Lions have faced other programs that reside in the Golden State a handful of times.
Penn State has clashed with USC 11 times, netting a 5-6 record all-time and a 1-4 record on the West Coast. That one win came last year when Barker knocked in a game-winning field goal in overtime to end the contest.
Prior to the 2024 campaign, the most recent matchup came in the 2017 Rose Bowl, where USC won 52-49. Saquon Barkley had his infamous 79-yard touchdown run in that game.
Tight end Tyler Warren (44) celebrates as running back Nick Singleton (10) scores a touchdown at the Penn State football game against USC in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 in Los Angeles. The Nittany Lions beat the Trojans 33-30 in overtime.
Sienna Pinney
Penn State has clashed with USC and UCLA the most compared to other California schools, but the Nittany Lions have occasionally clashed with Stanford and the University of California.
The Nittany Lions have a 4-1 record against the Cardinals. The most recent meeting came in 1993, where Stanford handed Penn State its lone defeat, winning the Blockbuster Bowl, 24-3.
In games against the Golden Bears, Penn State has also found similar success by boasting a 3-1 tally. The last time the two teams met, the Nittany Lions won in a blowout, taking a 33-15 victory.
Rose Bowl history
It might be the first time Penn State and UCLA are facing off at Rose Bowl Stadium, but it doesn’t mean the Nittany Lions haven’t had their fair share of matchups in the venue.
Quarterback Drew Allar (15) leaves the field with a rose in his mouth following the 109th Rose Bowl game against Utah on January 2, 2023 in Pasadena, Ca. The Nittany Lions beat the Utes 35-21.
Caleb Craig
Penn State boasts a 2-3 record all-time at the stadium for bowl games, but the last trip it found success.
The Nittany Lions went out to California in 2023 for a matchup against Utah, and cruised to a 35-21 victory, dominating in all facets of the game.
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Penn State’s set to travel across the country for its matchup with UCLA at the Rose Bowl.
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