Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) carries the ball during the fourth quarter during a Big Ten Conference football game at Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. , vs. Illinois. UCLA head coach DeSean Foster knows the Bruins will face a more physical defensive style of play as they transition to the Big Ten heading into Saturday's visit to Penn State. That's guaranteed against seventh-ranked Penn State.
First-year Bruins coach Foster presented his team with a classic heavyweight showdown before game day. UCLA (1-3, 0-2 Big Ten) needs players who can suck some hay out of a Penn State defense that has been struggling through the first month of the 2024 season. One of the best defenses in the country.
The Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0) enter Penn State and UCLA's first meeting since 1968 having allowed just seven points in their past two games. Lately, they've worn out – no. 19 Illinois won 21-7 last Saturday.
Penn State allowed only 219 yards of offense to Illinois, including 34 yards rushing. In an overpowering Illini ground game, Penn State held its defense to 72 yards per game and ranked seventh nationally in run defense.
Against the Nittany Lions, opponents averaged just 2.3 yards per carry. Meanwhile, UCLA's 57 rushing yards per game ranked last among all FBS offenses in Week 5.
“It's mostly in the details,” Foster said of UCLA's offensive woes. “We've been punished so much… We're trying to figure it out right now. Work within yourself. Don't go out and try to do something out of the ordinary, or something you're not coached to do. .
The Bruins have yet to reach the 100-point mark in any game this season, scoring a high of 96 points in a 42-13 loss to Indiana in Week 3 of the Big Ten Conference opener. UCLA's low point came in Week 4, when the Bruins gained just 14 yards in a 34-17 loss to LSU.
The inability to establish an effective rushing threat is the main reason the Bruins haven't scored more than 17 points in four games in 2024.
A visit to LSU on Sept. 21 and a Big Ten home game against Indiana, as well as last Saturday's 34-13 loss to Oregon State, marked the Bruins' fourth straight opponent in the AFC. Top 25 in the society.
Even though Penn State is ranked No. 7 and remains undefeated, Nittany Lions coach James Franklin believes the Nittany Lions will be better off as his team nears the heart of conference play and in a field where UCLA also struggles. Taney Lions coach James Franklin believes there is plenty of room for improvement.
“The obvious issue we haven't corrected yet is penalties,” Franklin said. “It makes it more difficult than it needs to be…The fans don't want to keep hearing me talk about it, we just need to fix it.”
Penn State averages 66 penalty yards per game. Franklin said a 63-yard six-flag drive against Illinois allowed Illinois to dictate the tone of the game until late in the second half, especially in limiting the Nittany Lions' offense.
Meanwhile, UCLA is averaging 75 yards per punt.
However, being behind some guys on offense didn't hinder Penn State's rushing attack too much. Nicholas Singleton leads the Nittany Lions with 102 yards per game and 7.7 yards per carry.
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