Social Media Reacts to Another Bruins Victory That Comes Down to the Wire

UCLA earned its third straight win with its upset over Iowa on Friday night. Social media reacted throughout and after the contest.

Nov 8, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) and teammates celebrate after an interception in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

UCLA has become the Big Ten's Cinderalla team.

The Bruins' upset win over Iowa on Friday was the team's third-straight victory that came down to the final minutes. And yet another one in which UCLA had to protect a late lead.

As always, social media had its thoughts:

Look at what UCLA was to start the season. A disaster. That program was dead after Chip left. Look at where they are now. A competitive team that has gotten so much better & now they’re seeing results. 3 straight wins & a shot at bowl eligibility. Coaching & development!

— Dante Brye (@TaeBrye) November 9, 2024

Love to see UCLA lowering the shoulder and showing Iowa what tough, gritty Big 10 football is all about

pic.twitter.com/vo0Tnlg5JY

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 9, 2024

Nebraska fans welcoming Iowa fans to the bar after UCLA pic.twitter.com/vLUqmS9gwG

— Jim in MN (@HuskersMN) November 9, 2024

UCLA’s last four games. DeShaun Foster has done a good job in his first season, he’s made the Bruins a viable program at the end of this year. pic.twitter.com/xdt6up1kw1

— Greg Flammang (@greg2126) November 9, 2024

UCLA improved to 4-5. They dominated Iowa at the line of scrimmage. The Bruins only losses are teams with a combined record of 37-6.

Oregon: 9-0
Indiana: 9-0
Penn State: 7-1
LSU: 6-2
Minnesota: 6-3

— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) November 9, 2024

Things weren't looking good for the Bruins early on. After throwing an interception on the opening drive and another on its second possession, UCLA would eventually find itself down 10-0 going into the second quarter.

Ethan Garbers was struggling.

"Ill-advised."

That Ethan Garbers pass that fluttered to Quinn Schulte of Iowa for easy pickings.

Schulte, mean streets, Cedar Rapids.

— Mike Hlas (@Hlas) November 9, 2024

Ethan Garbers' Whoopsy Daisy King bid still alive.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) November 9, 2024

Sure looks like the Iowa defensive line is going to make Ethan Garbers' night a living hell

— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) November 9, 2024

In the second quarter, UCLA would finally put points on the board when kicker Mateen Bhaghani made a career-long 57-yarder.

Mateen Bhaghani is the GOAT

— David Woods (@daviddavidwoods) November 9, 2024

CAREER-LONG 57-YARD FIELD GOAL @mateen_bhaghani 💰💰💰

The second-longest field goal in school history! pic.twitter.com/voVjD9VZLv

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) November 9, 2024

The 57-yard field goal by Bhaghani is the second in UCLA history. Ka'imi Fairborn has the 60-yard record.

— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) November 9, 2024

After tying the game at 10-10, UCLA would have a chance to take the lead following a lost fumble by Iowa. But Garbers would turn the ball over for a third time, this time a fumble as the Bruins were in scoring position.

Ethan Garbers more like Ethan Goofers pic.twitter.com/h3mfhw69os

— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) November 9, 2024

UCLA is dominating this game if Ethan Garbers could act like a human being for 5 minutes.

— The Mighty Bruin (@TheMightyBruin) November 9, 2024

Garbers redeemed himself on the Bruins' next possession as he connected with wide receiver Logan Loya for a 29-yard touchdown reception.

Looks like a UCLA WR Logan Loya TD from my angle!

UCLA up 17-10 in Pasadena pic.twitter.com/m7yn8fTyAy

— Eric Froton (@CFFroton) November 9, 2024

Logan Loya. @UCLAFootball | #HowGreatIsBall

— Yogi Roth (@YogiRoth) November 9, 2024

Welcome back to the party Logan Loya

— UCLA Geek 🤓 (@UCLA_Geek) November 9, 2024

UCLA would have a 17-10 lead at halftime.

Iowa would throw an interception on its second possession of the second half. The pass was picked off by Bruins linebacker Carson Schwesinger, his second of the game.

Carson Schwesinger is the best player in college football history.

— David Woods (@daviddavidwoods) November 9, 2024

carson schwesinger is the best LB in the country by a mile

— szn16 (@hoodiruss) November 9, 2024

🇺🇸🇺🇸 Captain America 🇺🇸🇺🇸@C_Schwesinger. Unstoppable.pic.twitter.com/bNoDZ74q4m

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) November 9, 2024

Schwesinger is unreal. He just came up with his second INT of the game. UCLA did a good job of putting pressure on Sullivan and now UCLA gets the ball back at its own 31.

— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) November 9, 2024

The Hawkeyes tied the game at 17 apiece in the final minute of the third quarter. But UCLA responded with another made field goal from Bhaghani, which gave the Bruins a 20-17 advantage with just under 5 minutes to go in the contest.

The game came to one final UCLA drive, and the Bruins got the job done. Facing third-and-8, Garbers found wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for the conversion, all but sealing the victory.

UCLA improves to 4-5 with just two wins needed to be granted bowl-eligibility.

The Bruins continue to look like a completely different team after starting the year 1-5. They have a fire instilled in themselves now, and that bowl game is within sight.

UCLA will continue its quest for a bowl bid when it faces Washington on the road next Friday. It will then conclude its 2024 regular season with back-to-back home games -- one against the Bruins' greatest rival, USC, and one against Fresno State.

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