The search for moral victories and marginal improvements has become the norm for weeks.

But after finishing out their four-game gauntlet, the Bruins have goals beyond merely competing.

“Any time you can get a real victory, not necessarily just a moral victory, it’s a good thing,” said coach DeShaun Foster.

With the stretch of Indiana, LSU, Oregon and Penn State – four teams who are a combined 20-1 on the season and each ranked within the nation’s top 20 – behind them, the remainder of UCLA football’s schedule will be against currently unranked opponents.

Inconsistency has plagued the Bruins through their first five games as they have struggled to execute on all fronts simultaneously.

However, against then-No. 7 Penn State in front of a hostile environment of 110,047 fans, UCLA showcased growth in multiple facets of the game.

The Bruin offensive line – whose struggles have embodied one of the worst rushing attacks in college football and high sack numbers – looked much-improved against a seasoned Nittany Lion front.

“I think that we were all on the same page,” said redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Niki Prongos, who moved to left tackle on Saturday. “We were communicating up on the line and everything kind of clicked.”

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Sam Yoon made his first collegiate start amid a revamped offensive line, allowing the UCLA rushing offense to amass 93 yards against a Penn State defense that has only allowed 76 rushing yards per game this season.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Justyn Martin was sacked twice – the typical first-stringer, redshirt senior Ethan Garbers, endured nine sacks in the two prior games.

Martin, who made his first career start against the Nittany Lions because of an injury Garbers suffered during the Oregon game, tossed 167 yards and notched a touchdown while maintaining a 73% completion percentage and committing zero turnovers against a top-five collegiate defense.

“First start at Penn State with 110,000, that’s a big deal,” said redshirt senior wide receiver Logan Loya. “He handled it like a pro, I was very impressed and I’m very proud. It’s cool to see the kid finally get to show what he’s about.”

With concerns about Garbers’ health rising – he was seen at Monday’s practice with a heavily taped right foot – Foster didn’t identify who would be the starting quarterback against Minnesota on Saturday.

“Justyn played a good game,” Foster said. “We’re going to go into this week and see who can play.”

While the Bruin offense only amassed 11 points against the Nittany Lions – eight of which came on a touchdown and a two-point conversion with 16 seconds remaining – it also failed to convert on two fourth-down attempts deep in enemy territory.

Defensively, the Bruins have also seen individual improvements, with senior linebacker-turned-edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo accounting for the Bruins’ first sack since the season’s opening contest.

“He’s grown a lot,” Foster said. “He was relentless coming off the edge and constantly making plays.”

Over the past four contests, the UCLA defense has continued to improve, with the 27 points allowed in the Penn State game counting as the least allowed since Sept. 14. Additionally, all four offenses faced by the UCLA defense have ranked in the top-25 nationally in yards per game.

Washington is the team’s only remaining foe with a top-25 offense nationally, a fact which should take some of the pressure off a defense that currently ranks 94th in yards allowed per game.

“We’re capable of playing with teams that are ranked in the top-10,” Foster said. “We just have to put a full game together.”