A beast emerged in Pasadena on Friday night.

Like Cerberus of the underworld, but born to torment defenses on the gridiron.

“T.J. (junior running back T.J. Harden) had a lot of big runs, Berger (redshirt senior running back Jalen Berger) too – and (redshirt senior running back) Keegan Jones,” said coach DeShaun Foster. “It was a three-headed monster.”

Against Iowa, what had been the nation’s worst rushing offense exploded for 211 rushing yards – 193 of which came from UCLA’s trio of running backs. Less than two months removed from an abysmal 14-rushing-yard performance against LSU, UCLA showed flashes of what was the best rushing attack in the Pac-12 just a season ago.

Taking the biggest bite of the trio was Harden – who, entering the Rose Bowl, was averaging just 28.3 rushing yards per game after averaging 63.6 last season.

“Going into this game, I knew I had to have a game like this,” Harden said.

The Inglewood, California, local delivered the second-best performance of his collegiate career – garnering 125 yards on 20 carries.

Not to be overlooked, Jones and Berger added in 38 and 30 rushing yards, respectively.

Coincidentally, the Bruins’ ground explosion happened with former Bruin and current NFL running back Zach Charbonnet in attendance. Under the tutelage of Foster as a running backs coach in 2021 and 2022, Charbonnet was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks after amassing 2,496 rushing yards with the Bruins in his two years in Westwood.

Foster said the team’s season turned around after its 21-17 loss to Minnesota – in which the Golden Gophers won on a lead-changing touchdown with 0:27 left in the fourth quarter.

“That bothered them,” Foster said. “And they were able to channel it the right way and really come out and start paying attention to detail and sacrificing a bit more.”

The Bruins now find themselves two victories away from being bowl eligible – with none of their three remaining opponents above .500.

Foster said he gives a lot of credit to Harden’s flexibility throughout the 2024 campaign – with the veteran running back willing to lean more heavily into the passing game when the ground game was stagnant.

“(He’s) being more mature,” Foster said. “Young T.J. probably would’ve gotten frustrated on how the season was going. (He is) just finding ways to help the team. … When you stay positive, the football gods will eventually bless you.”

The coach added that the offensive line’s work ethic and familiarity with one another is a big reason behind the Bruins’ improved offense over their recent three-game winning streak.

Against the Hawkeyes, redshirt sophomore left tackle Niki Prongos went down with an injury, but redshirt senior Jaylan Jeffers was ready to fill in.

“The way he came in and was able to execute – it goes into how he prepared during the week,” Foster said. “He’s a kid who doesn’t take any opportunity lightly.”

Foster said Prongos is expected to return against USC on Nov. 23. Fellow redshirt senior offensive lineman Reuben Unije could also return this season.

In terms of offensive weapons, sophomore wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. is also hopeful to return for the Bruins’ final stretch.

“The goal is to win out and become bowl eligible,” said redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers. “And that’s what we’re going to do.”