Max Brosmer threw a go-ahead, 4-yard touchdown pass to Darius Taylor with 27 seconds to go, and visiting Minnesota held on for a 21-17 win over UCLA in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Saturday night.
Taylor also scored a rushing touchdown for Minnesota (4-3, 2-2), which earned a victory at the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1962. Brosmer completed 26 of 37 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
Ethan Garbers completed 25 of 36 passes for 293 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for UCLA (1-5, 0-4). J.Michael Sturdivant was the Garbers’ top target with seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown.
The Golden Gophers trailed 17-14 when they got the ball at their 39-yard line with 2:20 remaining. Brosmer guided a seven-play, 61-yard scoring drive that culminated with a quick pass to Taylor as he found an opening and sprinted untouched into the end zone.
The Bruins tried a Hail Mary pass as time expired, but Garbers’ desperate heave was picked off in front of the goal line by Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich.
UCLA established a 10-0 lead at the half.
Keegan Jones put the Bruins on the scoreboard with a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 8:49 to go in the first quarter. He took a snap in the wildcat formation and followed some big blockers on his way to the end zone for his first touchdown this season.
Mateen Bhaghani added a 34-yard field goal as time expired at the end of the half.
Minnesota pulled within 10-7 when Brosmer connected with Elijah Spencer for a 12-yard touchdown with 10:33 to go in the third quarter. Spencer caught the ball near the Bruins’ 5-yard line and scampered along the left sideline for the score.
Taylor put the Golden Gophers on top 14-10 with 7:16 left in the third quarter. He took a handoff and shoved past the goal line for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.
UCLA grabbed a 17-14 lead on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Garbers to Sturdivant with 6:54 remaining. Sturdivant got a couple of steps behind the Golden Gophers’ secondary and caught a pass in stride.
