We Speak College Football

Dieffenbach Fights Through Shoulder Injury as No. 4 UCLA Beats Illinois 22-14 to Reach 10-0

Ty Dieffenbach threw two touchdown passes, returned from a shoulder injury to lead the go-ahead drive, and No. 4 UCLA beat Illinois 22-14 at the Rose Bowl to reach 10-0 for the first time since 1998.

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2026

We Speak Media

UCLA Bruins quarterback Ty Dieffenbach (14) rolls out to pass during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Nov. 13, 2026

UCLA Bruins quarterback Ty Dieffenbach (14) rolls out to pass during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Rose Bowl Stadium, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia, The Sporting Tribune)

Ty Dieffenbach threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, leaving the game with a shoulder injury and returning to lead the go-ahead drive, as No. 4 UCLA beat Illinois 22-14 on a rainy Friday night at the Rose Bowl to reach 10-0 for the first time since 1998.

Dieffenbach hit Aidan Mizell for a 54-yard touchdown on the fifth play of the game, and Mateen Bhaghani’s 20-yard field goal made it 10-0 at halftime. Dieffenbach left the game with a left shoulder injury 35 seconds before halftime and backup Madden Iamaleava played the next three series before Dieffenbach returned late in the third quarter.

UCLA’s defense, which leads the nation in takeaways, pushed the lead to 12-0 early in the third quarter when Aiden Gobaira sacked Katin Houser in the end zone for a safety. Illinois cut it to 12-7 on Houser’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Feagin, but Dieffenbach went 5-for-5 on his first drive back and capped a 75-yard march with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Semaj Morgan with 11:38 to play.

Houser’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Collin Dixon on fourth-and-goal pulled Illinois within 19-14 with 7:14 left, and the Illini got the ball back with a chance to take the lead. Scooter Jackson ended that threat with his second interception of the night, returning it 41 yards to the Illinois 19, and Bhaghani followed with a 37-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining.

Mizell finished with six catches for a career-high 176 yards and a touchdown for the Bruins (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten), who have held seven straight opponents to 20 points or fewer and have forced 31 takeaways this season. First-year coach Bob Chesney is the first coach in UCLA history to start 10-0. UCLA needs one win in its final two games, at Michigan on Nov. 21 and against USC on Nov. 28, to clinch a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Houser completed 16 of 34 passes for 176 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions for Illinois (6-4, 4-3), which was held to 240 total yards and 64 rushing yards.

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We Speak College Football

Benedict Rallies From 24 Points Down to Beat Kentucky State 52-45 in Overtime and Win the SIAC Championship

Published

41 minutes ago

November 15, 2026

KJ Butler

A Benedict receiver in a purple jersey leaps high above a Kentucky State defender to catch the football during the SIAC Championship game.

A Benedict receiver climbs above a Kentucky State defender to pull down a catch during the Tigers' 52-45 overtime win over Kentucky State in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.

Benedict College is a champion again. The Tigers came back from 24 points down on Saturday in Columbia, beating Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime to win the SIAC Championship, the third conference title in program history, and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs came with it.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — November 14, 2026

What started as a competitive conference championship matchup turned into an unforgettable day at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, as Benedict College delivered a remarkable comeback to defeat Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime, capturing its third conference football championship in program history.

With the SIAC Championship on the line, both teams came out ready to compete. The opening quarter featured an evenly matched battle, with both offenses finding opportunities while the defenses worked to establish control. Benedict struck first, taking a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.

Kentucky State Takes Over

However, the momentum quickly shifted in favor of Kentucky State.

The Thorobreds delivered a dominant second quarter, outscoring Benedict 17-0 before continuing their offensive surge in the third. Kentucky State eventually built a 24-point lead after putting together 31 unanswered points, leaving the Tigers with a mountain to climb.

The Comeback

But Benedict wasn’t ready to surrender its championship hopes.

Benedict's quarterback in a purple No. 3 jersey leaps over a diving Kentucky State defender while carrying the football. — *Benedict’s quarterback hurdles a diving Kentucky State tackler as the Tigers rally in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Tigers found another gear in the fourth quarter, putting together a furious comeback and scoring 24 points in the final period to pull even at 45-45. After trailing by as many as 24 points, Benedict had turned what appeared to be a comfortable Kentucky State victory into a championship thriller.

A Wild Final Minute

The final minute of regulation brought even more drama.

With approximately one minute remaining, Kentucky State punted the ball to Benedict, but the Tigers muffed the return, giving the Thorobreds another opportunity to steal the game. Kentucky State moved into position to score, but Benedict’s defense came up with a crucial stop, keeping the Thorobreds out of the end zone.

Benedict's No. 13 in a purple jersey leaps to catch the football with two Kentucky State defenders closing in and fans behind the sideline wall. — *Benedict’s No. 13 pulls down a catch between two Kentucky State defenders during the championship game. Photo by KJ Butler.*

With Kentucky State out of timeouts, clock management became critical. A delay-of-game penalty with nine seconds remaining resulted in a 10-second runoff, sending the game into overtime. The sequence proved costly for the Thorobreds, as a late-game miscommunication and clock-management mishap ended their opportunity to attempt a field goal before regulation expired.

Overtime Decides It

One more possession would determine the championship.

In overtime, Benedict wasted little time making its opportunity count. Quarterback Glenn Foreman connected with Demetris McKelvey on a touchdown pass, giving the Tigers the advantage and putting the pressure squarely on Kentucky State.

Two Benedict defenders collide with a Kentucky State ball carrier in the end zone, knocking the carrier's helmet into the air, with the Benedict band in the background. — *Benedict’s defense delivers a hit that knocks a Kentucky State helmet loose in the end zone during the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Thorobreds were unable to match the score, and Benedict’s sideline erupted in celebration.

After overcoming a 24-point deficit, surviving a dramatic final minute, and finishing the job in overtime, the Tigers walked away with a 52-45 victory and their third conference football championship in program history.

At Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, fans witnessed a comeback that will forever be remembered.

What Is Next

Benedict’s season rolls on into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The SIAC championship carries the conference’s automatic bid, and the Tigers entered the weekend as the No. 1 team in Super Region Two. Benedict learns its first-round opponent at the NCAA Division II selection show on Sunday, November 15 at 6 p.m. ET, with first-round games set for Saturday, November 21.

Kentucky State’s season is not finished either. The Thorobreds close at 8-3 after their first SIAC title game appearance since 2016, and they are expected to land an at-large playoff berth when the bracket is revealed on Sunday night. If their name is called, their first-round game is also Saturday, November 21.