UCLA weathers injuries and plenty of drama to stay undefeated

After receiving a shot in the arm, Ty Dieffenbach delivered one.

Roars accompanied the previously injured UCLA quarterback with every step he took as he returned from the locker room to the Rose Bowl sideline late in the third quarter Friday night.

It was a heroic return for the veteran who left UCLA’s game against Illinois just before halftime with elbow and ankle soreness. The crowd again greeted Dieffenbach with cheers once he took the field with his team holding a suddenly precarious lead over Illinois.

“That reaction from the crowd was incredible,” Dieffenbach would later say. “I mean, it was one of the best times of my life.”

All Dieffenbach did upon his return was complete all five of his passes on the next drive, including a stunning touchdown, to help the fourth-place Bruins hold on to a 22-14 victory that kept their unbeaten streak intact.

“They just don’t quit, they just don’t quit,” UCLA coach Bob Chesney said of his players. “They just believe they have a chance to win every game and they’re going to find a way.”

The Bruins were only able to exhale after an Illinois pass fell incomplete up the middle with 43 seconds left.

UCLA had recorded another big defensive play a few minutes earlier when safety Scooter Jackson threw an interception — his second of the game — and returned it 41 yards to the Illinois 19-yard line with 2 minutes, 42 seconds left.

A short basket by Mateen Bhaghani gave the Bruins a 22-14 lead, requiring a desperate drive from the Fighting Illini that fell short.

There was a feel-good vibe all around after Dieffenbach escaped injury and UCLA improved to 10-0 for the first time since 1998 — last season it won a conference championship.

“No one believed UCLA would be 10-0 this year, no one in the country, no one anywhere,” linebacker Sammy Omosigho said, “and we had to make them believe.”

The Bruins, who are 7-0 in Big Ten play, need just one more win in their final two regular-season games — against Michigan and USC — to clinch an appearance in the conference title game.

Among other things, a season-high crowd of 45,800 celebrated a UCLA defense that intercepted three passes and recorded five tackles for loss while holding the Fighting Illini (6-4, 4-3) to 240 offensive yards.

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Dieffenbach was injured shortly before halftime, when his arm got stuck in an uncomfortable spot when he was tackled and hugged. Madden Iamaleava replaced Dieffenbach and completed 3 of 7 passes for 21 yards as the UCLA offense appeared to tighten up.

As Dieffenbach returned to the bench, he sprayed his teammates and the decibel level rose.

“It was amazing, it was awesome,” said Dieffenbach, who completed 13 of 20 passes for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception, “and you can’t not want to play when you hear that, you know what I mean?

Chesney said he didn’t know what it was until he looked up at the video screen to see his quarterback letting his teammates know he was back.

“It’s leadership that stands out,” Chesney said, “and there’s the confidence that everyone took from it.”

Dieffenbach said: “Once on the field, all the pain disappeared with the adrenaline.”

In the group, Dieffenbach delivered a simple message.

“Let’s go, man,” Dieffenbach told his teammates. “Let’s score a touchdown here.”

He did just that, finding receiver Semaj Morgan on a 26-yard run into the end zone that put UCLA up 19-7 early in the fourth quarter.

Illinois closed to 19-14 after quarterback Katin Houser converted a huge fourth-down play, finding receiver Collin Dixon in the back of the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown with 7:14 left. But the Fighting Illini couldn’t conjure up any more late magic after Houser went out with his own injury.

After inching closer to a College Football Playoff berth, the Bruins appear to be on the verge of another massive triumph.

The school is close to extending Chesney’s contract after he became the most sought-after coach in college football, the California Post has learned.

Chesney’s new deal would provide more money and years after he signed a five-year, $33.75 million contract less than a year ago, with an announcement possible as soon as next week.

The buzz around the team seems to be growing. One of the 12 end zone tarps was removed and two were shortened to allow additional fans who weathered the rainy weather and Friday night traffic to attend the game.

“When we walked out there, I was like, hell yeah,” Chesney said of the crowd. “I knew we were close to making it and you were worried about the weather, but ultimately what a great job from them and really proud of the way they showed up.”

Some of those fans chanted Chesney’s name as he left the field with his wife and daughters.

“It’s pretty special,” Chesney said, “and I appreciate them as much as they appreciate our program.”

The train continues to barrel toward what would be UCLA’s first appearance in the CFP, a special season with no end in sight.