UCLA Bruins vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 19th 2024

Preview and Prediction

UCLA is determined to put an end to their five-game losing streak and secure their first victory in the Big Ten as they travel to Piscataway, N.J. to face Rutgers on Saturday afternoon.

The Bruins (1-5, 0-4 Big Ten) have not tasted victory since their season opener against Hawaii, where they won 16-13. Unfortunately, they have struggled to score more than 17 points in a game this season. In their last game against Minnesota, UCLA held a 10-0 lead at halftime but ultimately lost 21-17 after the Gophers scored a touchdown with only 27 seconds remaining.

According to UCLA coach DeShaun Foster, the team has been performing well in the first half of games but struggles to maintain that momentum in the second half. He acknowledges that this is an area that needs improvement.

Rutgers (4-2, 1-2) started their season strong with four consecutive wins, but have since suffered back-to-back losses against Nebraska (14-7) and Wisconsin (42-7). In their game against Wisconsin, the Scarlet Knights struggled to contain their opponent's offense, allowing 549 yards, including 309 rushing yards with an average of 6.6 yards per carry.

Leading the Rutgers rushing attack is Kyle Monangai, who has accumulated 739 yards and seven touchdowns on 135 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

On the other hand, UCLA ranks last in the Big Ten in both average yards per game (272.8) and points per game (14.5). No other team in the conference has scored fewer than 19 points per game.

Running back T.J. Harden has been the top performer for UCLA, gaining 166 yards on 55 carries and leading the team in receiving with 21 receptions for 204 yards.

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano warns not to underestimate UCLA based on their record, as they have faced tough competition and have been competitive in each game.

The Bruins will have to face a Rutgers defense that has allowed an average of 369.8 yards per game, ranking 17th in the conference.

Despite their struggles, Foster remains optimistic and believes in his team's resilience. He is confident that they will continue to fight and turn things around.

PREDICTION

UCLA Bruins

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

UCLA Bruins vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recap OCT 19TH 2024

Ethan Garbers completed 32 of 38 passes for a career-high 383 yards and four touchdowns as UCLA ended a five-game losing streak Saturday with a 35-32 Big Ten victory over Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J.

Garbers tossed TD passes to wide receiver Logan Loya (5 yards), running back T.J. Harden (22 yards) running back Keegan Jones (67 yards) and running back Jalen Berger (9 yards). Garbers also scored on a 49-yard run.

Rutgers received three rushing touchdowns from running back Kyle Monangai, who gained 106 yards on 19 carries. Monangai's third TD, a 1-yard run, helped Rutgers pull within three points with 1:45 to play, but UCLA recovered the onside kick.

It was 7-7 after one quarter, but the Bruins led 21-10 at halftime and 28-19 through three quarters. It's the first time UCLA (2-5, 1-4 Big Ten) has scored more than 17 points in a game this season. The Bruins entered the game averaging 14.5 points per contest.

UCLA struck first on Loya's 5-yard TD catch with 9:03 remaining in the first quarter. Rutgers (4-3, 1-3) answered when quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis snuck into the end zone from a yard away with 4:43 left in the first.

Garbers' 49-yard TD run broke a 7-7 tie with 2:43 left in the second quarter.

Jai Patel's 49-yard field goal sliced UCLA's lead to 14-10 with 1:12 remaining in the second, but Garbers' 22-yard TD pass to Harden came with 22 seconds left in the half to help stretch UCLA's lead to 21-10.

Rutgers cut its deficit to 21-16 on Monangai's 6-yard run with 12:45 left in the third and made it a 21-19 contest on Patel's 35-yard field goal with 5:41 remaining in the third.

UCLA extended its lead to 28-19 when Jones scored on a 67-yard catch and run with 4:53 to play in the third, and took a 35-19 lead on Berger's TD catch plus Mateen Bhaghani's fifth PAT with 12:13 left in the fourth.

Monangai's second TD came on a 5-yard run with 10:35 to play. UCLA's lead was 35-25 after Rutgers failed to convert on the two-point-conversion attempt.

Rutgers was without starting defensive ends Wesley Bailey and Aaron Lewis because of injuries.