Penn State loses to UCLA 42-37 at Rose Bowl, playoff hopes at risk

PASADENA, Calif. — Penn State suffered a stunning 42-37 upset at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 4, falling to a previously winless UCLA team and sliding to 3-2 on the season and 0-2 in Big Ten play. The loss followed a 30-24 double-overtime defeat to Oregon the previous week and has left the program’s College Football Playoff hopes in jeopardy and its leadership under intense scrutiny.

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava accounted for five touchdowns, passing for 166 yards and rushing for 128, as the Bruins built a 27-7 halftime lead and outgained Penn State 435 yards to 357. Penn State rallied in the second half, scoring 30 points, but could not overcome the early deficit. Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar completed 17 of 23 passes for about 200 yards with two touchdowns and added a career-high 78 rushing yards while attempting to spark a comeback.

Coach James Franklin took responsibility for the defeat, saying the team did not handle the Oregon loss well and failed to start the UCLA game with the right energy. “We did not come out with the right energy to start the game,” he said. “That’s my responsibility and I didn’t get it done.” Franklin also urged unity, telling reporters, “We...