Homecoming royalty was established Friday.

Instead of a crown, though, coach DeShaun Foster was awarded a different prize.

“It feels good. I got the game ball,” coach DeShaun Foster said after earning his first home win at his alma mater. “It’s way more exciting to get these game balls now. You can’t put it into words.” 

UCLA football (4-5, 3-4 Big Ten) defeated Iowa (6-4, 4-3) 27-20 on Friday night to mark its third-straight victory and first at the Rose Bowl in 2024. 

Although Friday marked UCLA’s homecoming game and parent’s weekend, the Rose Bowl seemed to be equally matched in yellow and black and blue and gold – 2,000 miles were barely a concern for the Iowa faithful.

Efforts from the Hawkeye fans prevailed – along with their mascot and color guard leading their cheers, seemed to pay off – as Iowa silenced UCLA 10-0 through the first 15 minutes of action on the gridiron. 

Both the Hawkeye’s defense and offense bursted out of the gates to declare a dominating opening statement, denying the Bruins an early lead. Not only was it limited to 5.7 yards per play, Iowa also forced four penalties for a loss of 34 yards for UCLA. 

Iowa created its first of two interceptions with less than five minutes left in the first quarter, as redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers was forcibly hit and made an ill-advised pass up the middle that was picked off at the goal line by Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson.

“They’re a great defense. They’re well coached,” Garbers said. “Obviously, didn’t start the game how I wanted to with the turnovers. Can’t have those.” 

Iowa’s defensive intensity was matched in the backfield, as star running back Kaleb Johnson rushed up the middle for a 2-yard gain and six points for the Hawkeyes in the 12th minute. 

“​​We knew it was going to be a short week. We have to play fast and physical, play aggressive,” said junior running back T.J. Harden. “They are a powerhouse.”

Garbers ultimately closed out the quarter with two interceptions and zero points on the board for the Bruins. 

After a muted first quarter, Iowa fans seemed invigorated, as chants of “Let’s go Hawks” drowned out the “Let’s go Bruins” chorus which was slowly picking up.

Despite the Hawkeyes’ tough front through the opening stanza, the Bruins swept in a turn of the tide in the second. 

After sophomore kicker Mateen Bhaghani livened up the Rose Bowl with a career-high 57-yard field goal – the second-most in program history – Harden unleashed a 29-yard run to spark UCLA’s first touchdown. The route marked one of 20 carries Friday for the offensive workhorse. After a successful PAT kick, the Bruins were close enough to even the scoreboard. 

“T.J. ran the rock tonight,” Garbers said. “He left it all there on the field. He’s a beast.”

The Bruins landed their next points after Hawkeye quarterback Brendan Sullivan was sacked – turning the ball over and allowing redshirt senior wide receiver Logan Loya to snag a 29-yard throw from Garbers, breaking past an Iowa defender to dive into the end zone. 

While both squads’ offensive units were full steam ahead in the first two quarters – ending the first half 17-10 – both sides’ defenses took over in what was a scoreless third frame.

Neither offense was able to capitalize, both being forced to punt for the first time in the game. 

UCLA’s defense held Iowa to 80 yards through the affair – marking a season-low for the country’s No. 2 ranked rushing defense. Johnson, Iowa’s standout rusher who slates in second in the nation in rushing yards, was limited to a season-low 49 on the ground. 

“That’s a shout out to the whole defense there and all the coaching staff that put together a great game plan going into this week,” said redshirt junior linebacker Carson Schwesinger. “We went into this week knowing it was a challenge when we were ready.” 

Schwesinger, often touted “Captain America” by his teammates and coaches, logged his second interception of his career in the third quarter.

“We were staying disciplined and staying on track with what we went into the game,” Schwesinger said. “Obviously, plays are going to be made on both sides of the ball, so when things weren’t going our way at times we just need to make sure that we didn’t get out of hand and stuck with what we knew.”

Ultimately, both teams poured in a score of their own in the final quarter – Iowa a touchdown, UCLA a field goal to push them on top – and that was game. 

Eventually, the Bruins carried out the clock until they officially recorded their first victory at home in 2024.

Foster departed the final press conference with two words to acknowledge his team’s performance.

“211 yards,” Foster said, in reference to his team’s season-high efforts on the ground.