The University of California, Los Angeles Bruins football team improved to 9-0 by defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers 34-20 on November 7, 2026, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. This marks the Bruins’ best start to a season since 1998 and their first victory ever at Minnesota, improving their all-time series record against the Golden Gophers to 2-3.
Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach threw for a career-high 303 yards and three touchdown passes, including two consecutive 75-yard completions to wide receiver Aidan Mizell in the fourth quarter. Mizell finished with three touchdown receptions of 75 or more yards and a season-high 150 receiving yards. Running back Wayne Knight scored a 1-yard touchdown and rushed for 109 yards, extending his streak to nine consecutive games with a touchdown.
Head coach Bob Chesney became the first UCLA head coach to start his tenure 9-0 and has won 19 consecutive regular season games dating back to 2025. Defensively, UCLA held Minnesota to 91 rushing yards and limited them to a 20.8% conversion rate on third downs. Linebacker Jalen Woods led the Bruins with 11 tackles, and defensive back Scooter Jackson recorded his third interception of the season.
The Bruins remain the only undefeated team in the Big Ten Conference and one of three undefeated teams in the FBS. UCLA will face Illinois next at Rose Bowl Stadium on November 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. PT on FOX.
CSB Take
UCLA’s 9-0 start under head coach Bob Chesney signals the rise of a strong contender in college football’s Big Ten and national landscape. The remarkable efficiency of quarterback Ty Dieffenbach, combined with Aidan Mizell’s ability to make explosive plays, fuels an offense that complements an increasingly reliable defense. With such momentum, the Bruins have positioned themselves as a team to watch in the remainder of the season.
Source: Original report
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