Five takeaways from UCLA's turnover-heavy win against Michigan State

The UCLA Bruins secured a 28-10 victory over the Michigan State Spartans at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, maintaining their undefeated 2026 season record. Despite a sloppy first quarter, the Bruins bounced back in the second half, ultimately winning their homecoming game. Here are five key takeaways from their hard-fought win against Michigan State:

1. The Bruins began the game poorly, allowing Michigan State to score first thanks to a fumble by Bruin running back Anthony Woods. However, the Spartans continued to capitalize on UCLA's struggles, collecting another fumble in the second quarter.

2. UCLA managed to stay competitive, scoring 14 points in the second quarter despite penalties, drops, fumbles, and poor play. The team's defense was instrumental in this turnaround, as they managed to score points despite the challenging circumstances.

3. UCLA's defense once again proved to be a crucial factor in their victory. They held Michigan State to just 156 total yards, with a significant portion coming from their fourth-string freshman quarterback Leo Hannan in the fourth quarter. The defense's performance included four sacks, six tackles-for-loss, and three turnovers.

4. The Bruins' run game showed signs of improvement after a shaky start. Senior running backs Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas both fumbled in the first half, but they were eventually able to contribute with touchdowns. Senior star running back Wayne Knight also scored a touchdown, along with Wayne Knight, making three of the Bruins' four touchdowns.

5. Senior quarterback Ty Dieffenbach demonstrated resilience and skill in leading the Bruins to victory. After facing some adversity in the first half, including two nearly intercepted passes and appearing injured, Dieffenbach overcame the challenges to complete 58 percent of his passes for 198 passing yards and a touchdown, along with adding 17 rushing yards on five carries.