Gophers play it safe and pay the price in frustrating loss to No. 8 UCLA
· Yahoo Sports
Minnesota had a golden opportunity for another upset win on Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium, but ongoing offensive struggles were too much to overcome in a frustrating 34-20 loss to No. 8 UCLA.
The Gophers were almost immediately playing from behind after UCLA quickly went down the field for a field goal on its first offensive drive of the game. Minnesota looked to match on its first drive, but all-world kicker Luke Drzewiecki missed his first field goal of the season from 56 yards.
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UCLA took advantage of the premium field position and marched 62 yards down the field on just seven plays for its first touchdown of the game. Minnesota responded two drives later with a long 5:25 drive, and Darius Taylor found the end zone for the seventh time this season. Drzewiecki added a field goal at the end of the half to tie the game at 10.
Minnesota found itself in a familiar position with a tightly contested, low-scoring game against a nationally ranked opponent, and Fleck opted to remain conservative in his approach. He settled for another 56-yard field goal attempt for Drzewiecki on the Gophers’ first drive of the second half, which he missed. UCLA took advantage of the field position with another touchdown drive to take a 17-10 lead.
The Gophers found a way to put together a scoring drive, and true freshman tight end George Rohl caught the first touchdown of his career to tie the game at 17. But it took UCLA one play to go 75 yards and regain a 24-17 lead.
What a time for your first career TD 🙌
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 7, 2026
George Rohl’s TD grab gets @GopherFootball even with No. 8 UCLA.
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Minnesota responded with a field goal, but a second 75-yard touchdown reception from UCLA receiver Aidan Mizell was essentially the nail in the coffin for Minnesota’s chances.
Drake Lindsey finished the day 18 of 34 for 202 yards and one touchdown. His lone interception set UCLA up for its final points of the game, which made the final score 34-20.
Now 5-4, the Gophers will play for another rivalry trophy next week when they travel to Happy Valley to face Penn State with the Governor’s Victory Bell on the line.
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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Nov 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.