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UCLA Takes on Tough Challenge at No. 7 Penn State

UCLA and Penn State will meet on the field at Beaver Stadium in a battle of conference rivals.

(Photo by Getty Images) Drew Allar

UCLA (1-3-0) at Penn State (4-0-0)

  • When: Oct 5 2024, 12:00 PM
  • Where: Beaver Stadium, Beaver Stadium
  • Where to watch: FOX

Game Odds, Spread, Moneyline & Total

UCLA @ Penn State (#7)
Moneyline

UCLA   +1600
Penn State (#7)   -10000

UCLA @ Penn State (#7)
Point Spread

UCLA   28.0 (-110)
Penn State (#7)   -28.0 (-110)

UCLA @ Penn State (#7)
Total

Over   46.5 (-110)
Under   46.5 (-110)

Passing Team Leaders:
UCLA: Ethan Garbers 808 Yds
Penn State: Drew Allar 864 Yds

Team Stats

UCLA   Penn State
1-3 Record 4-0
1-1 Away & Home 3-0
2-2-0 ATS 2-2-0
1-3-0 O/U 1-3-0

Last Matchup:
No previous meeting

Game Preview

UCLA coach DeShaun Foster anticipated a tough, defensive matchup as the Bruins transition to the Big Ten Conference, and their upcoming game against No. 7 Penn State in State College, Pa., promises to deliver just that.

As part of his preparation, Foster shows his team classic heavyweight boxing matches to illustrate the need to withstand tough hits. The Bruins (1-3, 0-2 Big Ten) will face a formidable Penn State defense that has ranked among the best in the nation during the 2024 season.

The Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0) enter this matchup having allowed only seven points over their last two games, including a dominant 21-7 victory over then-No. 19 Illinois last Saturday. In that game, Penn State limited Illinois to just 219 total yards, with a mere 34 rushing yards, improving their defensive rushing yield to 72 yards per game, which ranks seventh nationally.

Opponents are averaging only 2.3 yards per carry against the Nittany Lions. Conversely, UCLA’s rushing offense ranks near the bottom of the FBS, averaging just 57 rushing yards per game.

"It’s mainly about the details," Foster said regarding UCLA’s offensive challenges. "We’ve committed too many penalties. We need to focus on playing within ourselves and not trying to do things we weren’t coached to do."

So far, the Bruins have failed to rush for over 100 yards in any game this season, with their highest being 96 yards in a 42-13 loss to Indiana in Week 3. Their lowest came in Week 4 against LSU, where they managed just 14 rushing yards in a 34-17 defeat.

This inability to establish a rushing attack has contributed to UCLA scoring no more than 17 points in each of their four games this season. Additionally, the Bruins have faced a challenging early-season schedule, including games against LSU and ranked opponents like Indiana and Oregon.

Despite Penn State’s strong start, coach James Franklin acknowledges there’s room for improvement, particularly in managing penalties.

"We haven’t fixed the issue with penalties yet," Franklin noted. "It’s complicating things unnecessarily. The fans are tired of hearing me mention it; we just need to correct it."

The Nittany Lions have averaged 66 penalty yards per game, and the six penalties for 63 yards against Illinois hampered their offensive rhythm until the second half. Meanwhile, UCLA averages 75 penalty yards per game.

Despite these challenges, Penn State’s rushing game remains effective, led by Nicholas Singleton, who averages 102 yards per game with an impressive 7.7 yards per carry.

2025 Super Bowl LIX Odds

NCAA Football Parlay Picks & Predictions

Final Score: Penn State 42-10
The Pick: Penn State -28 & Over 46½
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $364

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