Taylor’s touchdown with 27 seconds remaining rallies Minnesota to 21-17 victory over UCLA

PASADENA, CA – Max Brosmer and Minnesota have a knack for thrilling Hollywood-style endings when they face the Big Ten’s Los Angeles teams. Following Brosmer’s dramatic 1-yard touchdown run that secured an upset over Southern California last week, the senior quarterback was called upon again to lead a late comeback against UCLA on Saturday—and he delivered once more.

Brosmer completed four key passes, capped by a 4-yard throw to Darius Taylor with just 27 seconds left, clinching a 21-17 victory at the Rose Bowl. With this win, Minnesota and Penn State achieved a rare feat: defeating both USC and UCLA in consecutive weeks, a milestone last reached by Utah in 2018.

The Gophers (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) took possession with 2:20 left after their defense forced the Bruins to go three-and-out. Despite lacking timeouts, Brosmer orchestrated a 61-yard drive in just seven plays. He began the series with three straight completions, moving Minnesota to the UCLA 13 with 1:13 remaining. Brosmer also converted two critical third downs, including the touchdown pass to Taylor.

After trailing 10-0 at halftime, Minnesota surged ahead in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns, including a 1-yard run from Taylor that gave them a 14-10 lead. Earlier in the quarter, Brosmer had connected with Elijah Spencer for a 12-yard touchdown.

Daniel Jackson stood out with 10 receptions for 89 yards, while Koi Perich made two crucial interceptions. UCLA’s Ethan Garbers threw for 293 yards, but the Bruins (1-5, 0-4) suffered their fifth consecutive defeat, still in search of their first Big Ten win.

UCLA seemed poised to end its losing streak when Garbers threw a 42-yard touchdown to J. Michael Sturdivant with 6:54 left in the game, leading for most of the match before faltering in the final minute. After Minnesota’s touchdown, the Bruins advanced to the Gophers’ 49-yard line, but Garbers’ Hail Mary attempt on the last play was intercepted by Perich at the goal line.

Garbers, who had missed the previous game due to an ankle injury, completed 25 of 36 passes with one touchdown and three interceptions. He started strong, connecting on 10 of his first 11 attempts for 110 yards. UCLA opened the scoring for the third time this season with a 1-yard direct snap run from Keegan Jones, leading 10-0 at halftime after Mateen Bhaghani added a 34-yard field goal.

**Next Up:**
– **Minnesota:** Off next week before hosting Maryland on October 26.
– **UCLA:** At Rutgers next Saturday.