Week 10: Gophers football hopes to upset undefeated No. 8 UCLA

Image by Henry Creel University of Minnesota linebackers Mason Carrier (46) and Joey Gerlach (19) celebrate after the Gophers recover a punt against the University of Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. Week 10: Gophers football hopes to upset undefeated No. 8 UCLA Minnesota will host No. 8 UCLA at 11 a.m. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium. Categories: Football Marquee Sports by Logan Reitzner Published November 4, 2026 Entering this week, the Gophers are coming off a tough 23-16 overtime loss to the defending NCAA national champion No. 6 Indiana University Hoosiers, but their schedule will not get any easier as they face yet another highly-ranked opponent. With little time to reflect on the loss, Minnesota will now face their third consecutive ranked matchup when they host the undefeated University of California, Los Angeles Bruins on Saturday. Gopher Spotlight: QB Drake Lindsey: Lindsey and the Gophers offense have struggled to produce touchdowns. Through the last three games, Lindsey has thrown two touchdown passes and two interceptions. In both ranked matchups against Iowa and Indiana, Lindsey was held to under 200 passing yards. With UCLA’s 16 interceptions this season, Lindsey will need to get the offense moving while controlling the ball. K Luke Drzewiecki: Drzewiecki is a perfect 15-for-15 on field-goal attempts this season. In Minnesota’s loss to Indiana, Drzewiecki made a 60-yard field goal to put Minnesota ahead less than a minute in the game. If Minnesota cannot get into the end zone on Saturday, expect Drzewiecki to be called upon frequently. WR Javon Tracy : Tracy has been a constant in this year’s Gophers offense. He has been getting screen passes, run plays and other offensive plays. Tracy has 46 receptions for 460 receiving yards and one touchdown this season. Tracy will need to continue this production for Minnesota’s offense against UCLA. Opposing Lookout: QB Ty Dieffenbach: Dieffenbach was not UCLA’s starting quarterback coming into the season, but he had to step up after starter Nico Iamaleava tore his ACL playing against the University of Oregon on Oct. 10. Dieffenbach has thrown for 683 yards and three touchdowns this season. Minnesota’s defense continues to show up in big moments this season and will need to keep it up on Saturday. LB Jalen Woods: Woods has been everywhere this season for the Bruins. So far, he has 2.5 sacks, 62 total tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Minnesota’s offense will need to keep an eye out for Woods and limit his impact in this game. LB Sammy Omosigho: Omosigho is another UCLA linebacker who has disrupted opposing offenses this year. He has 58 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. Minnesota’s offense will need to prioritize ball security and limit Omosigho’s impact. Gophers offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. talked about UCLA’s defense at Monday’s press conference. Harbaugh Jr. highlighted what UCLA’s defense does well, noting the group’s dynamic nature. “Those players are executing different schemes, but they’re just as physical, they’re just as talented, and I think they can get in and out of different fronts and they can do a lot of different things in the secondary as well,” Harbaugh Jr. said. The last two weeks have brought big challenges for Harbaugh Jr. and the Gopher offense. The Gophers faced the University of Iowa and Indiana, two of the Big Ten’s top defenses in points allowed per game. Minnesota now plays UCLA, ranked third in the conference in points allowed per game with 13.4. Lindsey said facing these defenses has been a learning experience and is making him grow as a player. “I think that just builds you as a player,” Lindsey said. “There’s going to be new experiences with the game, and there’s going to be ups and downs.” Minnesota’s offense will need to involve more players against UCLA’s defense, including wide receiver Javon Tracy. Tracy has been leading the receivers this season and wants to get the offense moving against the Bruins. “I feel like the game plans are always good, and it’s up to the players,” Tracy said. “This is the players’ game every single time, and as long as we execute the play that’s called and do 111 every single play, then we’ll be fine.” Tracy and the Gophers will look to earn the University’s third field rush of the season this Saturday and end the three-game stretch against ranked opponents on a high note. “It’s a great opportunity for us. UCLA is a great team,” Tracy said. “They’re gonna come in ready to play, and they’re undefeated for a reason.” View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Leave a Comment More to Discover More in Football No. 8 UCLA offense overwhelms the Gophers in 34-20 loss Gophers football falls short in overtime loss to No. 4 Indiana Kicking in a new environment Week nine: Gophers go head-to-head with the defending national champions Gophers football reclaims Floyd of Rosedale in rivalry upset No. 20 Gophers men’s hockey faces No. 9 Duluth Bulldogs for an in-state rivalry game More in Marquee Allison Lussier’s partner charged with murder, but her family says justice isn’t served yet ‘More music’: The Minnesota Opera Orchestra puts on a benefit concert amid uncertain times Meet Mouthful, Minneapolis’ rising indie rock band Opinion: Social media is making us antisocial, and only we can change that Minnesota’s midterms unfold smoothly amid worries of federal interference Midwest Greek Step Show unites generations of University alumni More in Sports No. 18 Gophers men's hockey hosts border rival No. 1 Wisconsin Gophers men's basketball defeats North Dakota in season opener Gophers women’s basketball beats Harvard in season opener No. 2 Gophers sweep Duluth on the road No. 18 Gophers men’s hockey earns overtime win after tie against Penn State Gophers men’s and women’s basketball host opening-night doubleheader