The UCLA Bruins are the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten, sitting atop the standings with a perfect 6-0 overall record, 4-0 in conference play. This isn’t just a good start, it’s their best since 2022, and it comes off a gritty 17-7 win over Wisconsin that proved this team means business, picking off opponent after opponent.
Dieffenbach Steps Up After Iamaleava Injury
Listen, we all know the deal. Losing your starting quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, for the season? That’s a gut punch to any offense. Concerns about that side of the ball are real, but what did the Bruins do? They went out and won their first game without him! Backup QB Ty Dieffenbach stepped into the spotlight and delivered. He completed 22-of-33 passes for 264 yards against Wisconsin. Yeah, he threw an interception, but it was on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. The kid looked calm, cool, and collected, like he’d been there before. That’s the kind of poise you need when things get tough.
Chesney’s Standard: No Excuses, Just Greatness
What a turnaround this is for UCLA. Just last season, in their 2025 campaign, they finished 3-9. Now, under head coach Bob Chesney, who was hired in December 2025, they’re not just winning; they’re dominating. Chesney clearly set the tone from day one, and his post-game comments after beating Wisconsin say it all. He said, “We never put like limits on what we did or could not do. And we also didn’t make excuses. Like, hey, let’s just get bowl eligible; that was never a thing either. That’s an excuse for why you might have success.” Seriously, how can you not love that? He wasn’t even thinking about “major expectations,” just about doing things the right way. And it’s working. The defense, by the way, has looked way more physical this season, and the record absolutely reflects that. They’re smashing through teams, and it’s a direct result of Chesney’s “no excuses” mentality.
So, what’s next for these undefeated Bruins? They stay home this Saturday, October 24, to face Michigan State. You can catch the game at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Can they keep this incredible run going? You better believe they’re going to try, with Chesney’s standard of greatness driving them every single snap.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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