The No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions head to Pasadena in Week 6 looking to steady the ship at the iconic Rose Bowl, where they'll clash with a reeling UCLA Bruins squad that's still searching for its first win of the year.
For James Franklin's crew, the sting of last week's gut-wrenching double-overtime loss to Oregon still lingers. The Nittany Lions had every chance to seal a statement victory but let it slip away in the cruelest of fashions. Franklin's side now turns its attention to a far less daunting challenge, a UCLA team that's spiraling into chaos both on and off the field.
Penn State burst out of the gates at 3-0 with comfortable wins over Nevada, FIU, and Villanova before running into their first real test of the 2025 campaign. That Oregon defeat dropped Franklin to an uninspiring 2-21 in his career when facing opponents ranked inside the AP Top 6, a glaring blemish that continues to haunt his otherwise successful tenure.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the UCLA vs Penn State NCAAF game, plus plenty more.
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UCLA vs Penn State: Date and kick-off time
The Bruins will take on the Nittany Lions in a highly anticipated NCAAF game on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 3:30 pm ET or 12:30 pm PT at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
| Date | Saturday, October 4, 2025 |
| Kick-off Time | 3:30 pm ET or 12:30 pm PT |
| Venue | Rose Bowl |
| Location | Pasadena, California |
How to watch UCLA vs Penn State on TV & stream live online
- TV channel: CBS
- Streaming service: Paramount+, Fubo
Streaming the game with a VPN
Unable to watch this game due to broadcast restrictions? A VPN could be the answer to your problems.
You can watch the game from wherever you are in the world by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service such as Express VPN. A VPN will allow you to create a secure connection online when you are abroad on holiday or for work, and you want to stream the game live. You can eventry ExpressVPN risk-freewith a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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UCLA vs Penn State team news & key players
UCLA Bruins team news
UCLA entered the season amid buzz and optimism after landing former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava via the transfer portal. But all that preseason hope has evaporated. The Bruins sacked head coach DeShaun Foster last month following an embarrassing home loss to New Mexico and, at 0-4, are one of just four FBS programs still winless.
After Foster's firing, UCLA also dismissed offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, handing play-calling duties to Jerry Neuheisel. The move smacks of desperation for a team that's looked lifeless on both sides of the ball. Even last week’s narrow cover against a struggling Northwestern side was little consolation; the Wildcats jumped out to a 17-0 lead and coasted, while UCLA didn't find the end zone until garbage time in the fourth quarter.
Iamaleava, to his credit, has shown flashes of potential despite the chaos. The sophomore has completed 65% of his throws for 788 yards and four touchdowns, though his four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) and nine sacks tell the story of a quarterback under constant duress. His top target, Kwazi Gilmer, leads the receiving corps with 19 catches for 225 yards and a score, while Iamaleava himself is also UCLA's most productive rusher — not exactly a promising sign for a Power Five offense.
Penn State Nittany Lions team news
Last weekend's collapse at Beaver Stadium will be tough for Penn State fans to forget. The Nittany Lions clawed back from a 17-3 deficit in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime before Oregon's two-point failure gave them a golden lifeline. Yet, in front of 100,000 fans draped in white, Drew Allar's first-play interception in double OT crushed any hopes of a fairytale finish.
The defeat once again underlined a familiar issue — Franklin’s persistent struggles against elite competition. His record against ranked teams now sits at 16-37, including 15-29 during his stint in Happy Valley.
As for Allar, the senior quarterback hasn’t quite matched the lofty expectations that once surrounded him. Completing just 62% of his passes and sitting 88th nationally in QBR, he's been more workmanlike than electric. Still, there’s time to right the narrative — and a weak UCLA defense could be the perfect remedy.
Penn State's injury front remains clean, with no major setbacks heading into Saturday's matchup.