No Nico Iamaleava, no problem for the UCLA Bruins.
Despite being without their starting quarterback, No. 12 UCLA continued its undefeated start to the 2026 season with a 17-7 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins improved to 6-0 for the first time since 2022, while head coach Bob Chesney became the first coach in program history to win his first six games at UCLA.
With Iamaleava sidelined by a leg injury suffered against Oregon, backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach stepped into the starting role and delivered a career-best performance. The senior completed 22 of 33 passes for 264 yards and an interception, helping UCLA overcome a physical Wisconsin defense.
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“Before the game, I was just saying like, it’s another game, not making the moment too big,” Dieffenbach said. “We left some out there tonight, a couple throws I want back, a couple reads I want back.”
While the offense did enough to secure the victory, UCLA’s defense was once again the difference, holding Wisconsin to just 214 total yards and seven points.
The Badgers entered Saturday having won three consecutive meetings against UCLA, but struggled to establish any consistency offensively. Quarterback Colton Joseph completed just six of 16 passes for 66 yards, although he led Wisconsin on the ground with 71 rushing yards and a touchdown.
UCLA’s defense has developed into one of the Bruins’ biggest strengths under Chesney. Wisconsin converted just three of 11 third-down attempts, continuing a stretch in which UCLA has held opponents to five conversions on 38 attempts (13%) over its last three games.
The Bruins also forced two fumbles, including a first-quarter strip sack by Scott Taylor. Linebacker Sammy Omosigho added another forced fumble late in the first half, bringing his season total to five after entering the weekend as the FBS leader in the category.
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UCLA has now held four of its six opponents under 300 total yards this season, a significant reason the Bruins remain the Big Ten’s lone unbeaten team.
Dieffenbach Steps Up in First UCLA Start
Despite making his first start in a UCLA uniform, Dieffenbach looked comfortable operating the Bruins’ offense early.
The senior completed his first five passes for 53 yards and helped orchestrate a 16-play, 84-yard opening possession that ended with a 24-yard field goal from Mateen Bhaghani. The drive lasted more than eight minutes, setting the tone for an offense determined to control possession.
UCLA followed that opening possession with another lengthy drive, marching 91 yards across 13 plays before Wayne Knight punched in a one-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 10-0 in the second quarter.
Knight’s touchdown continued an impressive individual streak. The running back has scored a rushing touchdown in all six games this season, becoming the first Bruin to begin a campaign with six consecutive games with a rushing score since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2005.
Dieffenbach also found success spreading the ball around, completing passes to eight different receivers.
Semaj Morgan led UCLA with five receptions for a career-high 84 yards, while Landon Ellis added 57 yards on two catches. Jalen Saint Paul contributed four receptions for 45 yards.
The Bruins finished with 264 passing yards compared to Wisconsin’s 66, creating a sizable advantage despite neither team recording a passing touchdown.
“Ty, what a job,” Chesney said. “To stand in there and have the confidence to do what he did. What a warrior just all the way around.”
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Dieffenbach’s performance was UCLA’s ability to sustain drives. The Bruins converted a season-high 13 of 20 third-down opportunities, repeatedly extending possessions and keeping Wisconsin’s offense on the sideline.
Defense Closes the Door on Wisconsin
Although UCLA controlled much of the first half, Wisconsin made things interesting after halftime.
Joseph capped a third-quarter possession with a three-yard rushing touchdown, cutting UCLA’s lead to 10-7 and putting pressure on the Bruins to respond.
With the offense unable to build much separation, the defense was tasked with protecting a one-possession lead.
UCLA eventually extended its advantage to 17-7 in the fourth quarter when Anthony Woods scored on a three-yard touchdown run, giving the Bruins some much-needed breathing room.
But one of the game’s biggest moments came on Wisconsin’s ensuing possession.
Facing a critical fourth down, Badgers running back Darrion Dupree appeared to have gained enough yardage to move the chains near midfield. However, after a review, officials determined that Dupree had been stopped short following a tackle by Omosigho.
The overturned ruling returned possession to UCLA with 8:43 remaining, ending a potential Wisconsin scoring opportunity and allowing the Bruins to protect their lead.
Wisconsin’s struggles were compounded by 10 penalties for 102 yards, preventing the Badgers from establishing the offensive rhythm necessary to complete a comeback.
UCLA also recorded three sacks and limited Wisconsin to seven points despite surrendering 148 rushing yards.
The defensive performance continued a strong stretch for the Bruins, who have allowed seven points or fewer in seven of their 12 halves of football this season.
UCLA’s Undefeated Start Continues
Six games into the Bob Chesney era, UCLA has already accomplished something no previous Bruins head coach has done.
Chesney’s 6-0 start comes after a three-win 2025 season, marking a dramatic turnaround for a program looking to establish itself as a legitimate contender in the Big Ten.
“That’s the most important thing is that I believe in these guys,” Chesney said.
The victory also marked UCLA’s first-ever win against Wisconsin at the Rose Bowl and improved the Bruins’ all-time record against the Badgers to 8-4.
More importantly, UCLA remains unbeaten in conference play at 4-0, alongside Ohio State, and is the only Big Ten program without an overall loss.
Saturday’s victory might not have been UCLA’s most impressive offensive showing, but it demonstrated the team’s ability to win in different ways. Even without Iamaleava, the Bruins relied on a productive backup quarterback, lengthy offensive possessions, and a defense that continues to deliver in critical situations.
UCLA will remain at the Rose Bowl next Saturday, Oct. 24, when it hosts Michigan State (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) at 12:30 p.m. PT on CBS.
With the Bruins halfway through the regular season and still undefeated, their attention now turns toward maintaining that momentum as the Big Ten schedule continues.