No. 12 UCLA stays unbeaten at 6-0, tops Wisconsin 17-7 with a backup QB

PASADENA, Calif. -- , Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach was 22 of 33 for 264 yards in his first start as a Bruin, Wayne Knight and Anthony Woods each ran for touchdowns, and No. 12 UCLA beat Wisconsin 17-7 on Saturday night to improve to 6-0 for the first time since 2022. Bob Chesney is the first UCLA coach to begin his tenure with that many wins. The Bruins (4-0 Big Ten) were without starting QB Nico Iamaleava , who injured his leg last week at Oregon. “That's the most important thing is that I believe in these guys,” Chesney said. Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1) closed to 10-7 on quarterback Colton Joseph 's 3-yard TD run in the third quarter, when the Badgers dominated after being held scoreless in the first half. Joseph finished 6 of 16 for 66 yards passing. He was the Badgers' leading rusher with 18 carries for 71 yards.