Ethan Garbers leads UCLA to a 20-13 victory over Fresno State in the season finale

PASADENA, Calif. – Ethan Garbers rushed for 289 yards in his final game for UCLA, TJ Harden scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter and the Bruins cruised to a 20-13 victory over Fresno State in their season finale.

Fresno State had a 10-6 halftime lead but took the lead with a three-pointer on the first drive of the second half. UCLA took over the 40 on its own after a punt and gained 56 yards in four plays, capped by Harden’s 5-yard run up the middle for his second touchdown of the season.

The big play of the series came when tight end Moliki Matavao had a 35-yard reception to the Bulldogs’ 5. Matavao finished his career with career highs in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (120).

Garbers, who completed 26 of 40 passes, put it out of reach with a 2-yard touchdown pass to J. Michael Sturdivant with 1:38 left, completing a 15-play, 78-yard drive that took 6:14 before the end lasted.

Fresno State’s Mikey Keene, who came into the game leading the Mountain West in passing yards (2,668), completed 30 of 43 for 219 yards.

UCLA (5-7) opened the scoring with two field goals from Mateen Bhaghani before Raylen Sharpe caught a 7-yard pass from Keene midway through the second quarter to give the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead.

Dylan Lynch made two field goals for Fresno State (6-6), including a 42-yarder with 31 seconds left, to put the Bulldogs up 20-13.

Lynch attempted an onside kick, but it went out of bounds, ending any hopes of a Bulldogs comeback.

The takeaway food

Fresno State: The Bulldogs had a four-game winning streak in the series – including three straight in the Rose Bowl – but lost to the Bruins for the first time since 2000.

UCLA: After a 1-5 start to the season, the Bruins won four of their last six games and showed some improvement in DeShaun Foster’s first season as head coach.

Next

Fresno State: Will learn its bowl destination on Dec. 8.

UCLA: Opens the 2025 season Aug. 30 against Utah.

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