Penn State QB Drew Allar got emotional after a shocking 42-37 loss to winless UCLA, saying the Nittany Lions now have their “backs against the wall.”
'Backs against wall': Drew Allar emotional after Penn State's 42-37 UCLA meltdown originally appeared on The Sporting News
Penn State’s College Football Playoff hopes suffered a devastating blow Saturday as the No. 7 Nittany Lions fell 42-37 to previously winless UCLA at the Rose Bowl.
It was the first time in 40 years that a top-10 team had lost to a program with a 0-4 record or worse. Quarterback Drew Allar, who did everything he could to keep his team alive, finished 19-for-26 for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
He also added 78 rushing yards, highlighted by a 27-yard scramble late in the game. Despite the heartbreak, Allar’s tone after the loss reflected determination rather than despair.
“There’s no other group that I’d rather be in this situation with,” he said. “I know for me personally, I’m gonna take it day by day, pour 100% of my heart and effort into it, do whatever I need to do to get us right. And I can promise that I will do everything in my power to every day pour my heart and soul into it and help us come out with a different outcome.”
Penn State collapses in historic loss as Allar vows to keep fighting
Ranked 134th nationally in scoring before the game, the Bruins exploded for over 400 total yards, averaging more than seven yards per snap.
Freshly promoted offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel and interim head coach staff outcoached Penn State’s veteran defense, led by coordinator Jim Knowles.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava accounted for five total touchdowns, two through the air and three on the ground, as UCLA repeatedly converted on third downs and dictated the tempo throughout.
52 YARDS FOR NICO! pic.twitter.com/koEuktoEOE
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 4, 2025
Penn State’s defense looked unprepared and sluggish from the start, giving up an opening touchdown drive followed by a surprise onside kick that completely shifted momentum. Once behind, the Nittany Lions never truly recovered.
“Obviously, we did not handle last week’s loss well,” head coach James Franklin said. “We also lost some players in that game, and then everything else… that’s my responsibility, and I didn’t get it done.”
Franklin’s admission came amid growing frustration among fans. With a buyout exceeding $50 million, his job is secure for now, but pressure is mounting after consecutive losses to Oregon and UCLA.
Amid the chaos, Allar’s leadership was one of the few bright spots. After a quiet first half, he steadied the offense, delivering accurate throws and using his mobility to extend plays.
“We’re just taking it day by day, not looking into the future and not looking into the past,” he said. “What we can control is our actions from now until tomorrow morning, and then learn from it, flush it, and come out with the attitude of just swinging… because our backs against the wall and we have to come out swinging every day.”
Penn State’s problems go deeper than a bad afternoon on the West Coast. This wasn’t just another stumble; it was a symbolic unraveling of a program expected to contend with the nation’s elite.
With must-win matchups against Indiana and Ohio State looming, the Nittany Lions’ margin for error is gone. For Franklin and Allar, the message is clear: the season can still be salvaged, but only if they live up to the quarterback’s own words, backs against the wall, and no choice but to fight.
Category: General Sports
