In one of the most storied rivalries in college football, the UCLA Bruins defense brought heart and hustle, holding a potent USC offense to just one touchdown. The Bruins’ defensive effort, spearheaded by standout performances from linebacker Carson Schwesinger and defensive back K.J. Wallace, provided a glimmer of hope in an otherwise frustrating 19-13 loss at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night.
Carson Schwesinger
Schwesinger once again led by example, registering 12 tackles, including several key stops in critical moments. His ninth team-leading performance in tackles this season and eighth double-digit tackle game solidified his reputation as one of the Big Ten’s most reliable defenders. Time and again, Schwesinger was a disruptive force, particularly in the trenches, where his vision and instincts limited USC’s running game to a modest 3.0 yards per carry.
K.J. Wallace
Meanwhile, K.J. Wallace elevated his game, delivering a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss. Whether sniffing out screen passes or closing down on USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, Wallace showcased the versatility and tenacity that have made him a valuable piece of the Bruins’ defense. His effort Saturday broke his previous career-high of two tackles for loss, recorded earlier this season against Hawai’i.
UCLA Bruins Defensive Effort
Yet, as head coach DeShaun Foster noted, the defense could only hold the line for so long without support from the offense.
“Defensively, the defense came out and played a great game,” Foster said. “We stopped them plenty of times. We held them to a lot of field goals. Offensively, they just didn’t do their part in the game.”
UCLA’s defense made its presence felt early, holding USC to field goals on each of its three first-half scoring drives. In the third quarter, Devin Aupiu and Wallace combined for a drive-ending sack that forced a punt, giving the Bruins a chance to seize momentum. The secondary also stood tall, with key breakups from Kaylin Moore and Wallace that kept the Trojans’ passing game in check.
Even the lone touchdown allowed a four-yard strike from Maiava to Ja’Kobi Lane midway through the fourth quarter—it was a hard-fought play where Lane had to beat tight coverage to haul in the score. Following the game, linebacker Kain Medrano highlighted the defense’s resilience despite that moment.
“I think it was more so we knew that we needed that stop,” Medrano said. “That would have been a big stop for us. Being able to control your emotions after that touchdown happened and go back out there again and do the same thing, and shut them out again. That’s kind of what our mindset was.”
While the defense gave up just one explosive play—a 64-yard catch-and-run by Makai Lemon in the first quarter—the offense’s inability to extend drives placed an inordinate burden on the Bruins’ defenders. UCLA’s offense converted only 3-of-11 third downs and went 0-for-3 on fourth-down attempts, forcing the defense back onto the field after short rests.
Still, the Bruins’ defensive performance was a bright spot in an otherwise disheartening loss. As Schwesinger and Wallace shined, the unit demonstrated a blueprint for success that UCLA can build upon moving forward. With one game remaining against Fresno State, the Bruins will aim to replicate their defensive intensity and cap the season with a much-needed victory.
“Our guys will get out there, and I am going to try to send the seniors off the right way,” Foster said.