Dieffenbach throws for 264 yards as unbeaten UCLA beats Wisconsin 17-7

Ty Dieffenbach threw for 264 yards in his first UCLA start, and the Bruins held Wisconsin to 66 passing yards to stay unbeaten with a 17-7 victory Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

No. 12 UCLA improved to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin dropped to 4-2 and 2-1 in conference play after failing to turn two interceptions into enough offense to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit.

Dieffenbach, starting in place of injured senior Nico Iamaleava, completed 22 of 33 passes with one interception. The Cal Poly transfer found eight receivers, with Semaj Morgan catching five passes for 84 yards and Jalen Saint Paul adding four receptions for 45. UCLA finished with 384 total yards to Wisconsin’s 214 and held the ball for 37:02.

The passing game became especially useful after Wisconsin pulled within 10-7 in the third quarter. UCLA’s next possession ended on downs, but its defense forced a punt and gave Dieffenbach another chance to create some distance.

The Bruins’ touchdown drive began at their own 11 and backed up further after penalties. Dieffenbach opened the fourth quarter with a 28-yard completion to Landon Ellis, then hit Morgan for 33 yards later in the possession. Anthony Woods followed with a 14-yard run and scored from three yards out with 11:31 remaining. The six-play, 89-yard drive restored a 10-point lead.

UCLA Athletics’ highlights show the passing plays that sustained the Bruins and both of their touchdown runs:

UCLA had built its first-half advantage with two much longer possessions. Mateen Bhaghani’s 24-yard field goal capped a 16-play, 84-yard march in the first quarter. Wayne Knight’s one-yard touchdown finished a 13-play, 91-yard drive in the second. Saint Paul’s 21-yard catch put the Bruins at the Wisconsin 1 just before Knight scored.

The Badgers found their opening immediately after halftime. Marvin Burks Jr. intercepted a pass thrown by Morgan on UCLA’s first possession of the third quarter, giving Wisconsin the ball at the Bruins’ 44. Colton Joseph ended the ensuing drive with a three-yard touchdown run at the 8:17 mark.

Burks also intercepted Dieffenbach on the final play of the first half. Wisconsin’s official recap noted that he became its first player since 2022 with multiple interceptions in a Big Ten game. Those takeaways helped keep the Badgers close, but Joseph finished just 6-for-16 for 66 yards through the air despite running for 71 yards and a touchdown.

UCLA converted 13 of 20 third downs, while Wisconsin went 3-for-10. The Bruins used the final 4:49 on a drive that ended inside the Wisconsin 5, denying the Badgers another possession.

UCLA hosts Michigan State next Saturday. Wisconsin returns to Camp Randall to face USC on Oct. 24.