UCLA coach Jerry Neuheisel is lifted by players after a win over Penn State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 42-37 loss to UCLA on Saturday at the Rose Bowl:

Play of the game: With nothing to lose, already leading 7-0, UCLA caught the Nittany Lions napping with a successful onside kick after the Bruins’ game-opening score. UCLA cashed it into a field goal and a 10-0 lead.

Offensive player of the game: Easy call. UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava rushed 16 times for 128 yards and three touchdowns and completed 17 of 24 for 166 yards and two more scores.

Defensive player of the game: Bruin defensive back Key Lawrence made a team-high eight tackles, including one for loss. He also forced a fumble.

Most telling statistic: UCLA rushed for 253 yards on 51 cracks — an average of 5.1 per carry.

Most deceiving statistic: The Lions outgained UCLA through the air (200-166).

Hidden statistic: The Bruins converted seven of their first eight third-down opportunities.

Best run: On third-and-long in the third quarter, Iamaleava scampered 52 yards to set up a TD that helped the Bruins regain their two-score lead.

Best pass: Iamaleava threw a perfect 43-yard bomb over double-coverage to Kwazi

Gimler in the second quarter that set up a touchdown to put the Bruins up 24-7.

Worst pass: Drew Allar had Kyron Hudson open in the first half, but he waited too long, and the pass was deflected.

Catch it, will ya: No obvious drops.

Best catch: Hudson made a leaping catch in the end zone to pull the Nits within 42-35 in the fourth quarter.

Hold it, won’t ya: Luke Reynolds fumbled away the Nits’ first possession of the second half after a 17-yard gain. Trebor Pena recovered his own fumble early.

Best block: Tight end Khalil Dinkins sprung Nick Singleton’s 13-yard run on the Lions’ first TD drive.

Best tackle: On fourth-and-1 from UCLA’s own 34, with the Bruins up 42-35, Zakee Wheatley broke through and tackled Iamaleava for a 2-yard loss.

Best hit: Lawrence punched the ball free from Reynolds.

Best kick: UCLA’s Mateen Bhaghani nailed a 54-yard field goal to close the first half and extend the Bruins’ lead to 27-7.

Worst kick: Didn’t see one.

Worst penalty: The false start on Nick Dawkins with two minutes left didn’t help matters.

Best call: Has to be the onside kick.

Worst call: At 42-35, the fourth-and-2 up the middle, with Allar running, was blown up by Scooter Jackson.

Best effort: Dani Dennis-Sutton blocked a punt that Liam Clifford recovered for a touchdown with 7:19 left in the third quarter, cutting UCLA’s lead to 27-21.

Unsung hero: UCLA playcaller Jerry Neuheisel only stepped into the position on Tuesday and presided over an offense that rolled up 435 yards.