Aidan Mizell powered the UCLA offense on Friday night as the Bruins secured a 22-14 victory over Illinois at the Rose Bowl.
The wide receiver recorded six catches for 176 yards during the rainy contest, representing more than half of the team’s total receiving production, according to Yahoo Sports.
Mizell established an early lead with a 54-yard touchdown reception on the opening possession.
He later added a 63-yard gain in the second quarter by cutting across the field after a short catch.
The performance marked a significant escalation in his role within the offense after a slow start to the season caused by health issues.
UCLA head coach Bob Chesney noted that the coaching staff always understood the player’s potential, stating “we knew who he was, we knew what he’s capable of, and we just needed to get him healthy.”
Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach, who transferred to UCLA alongside Mizell, highlighted the chemistry developed between the two players during their time as second-stringers.
Dieffenbach praised his teammate’s ability to create distance after making a catch, observing “you see what he does with the ball after he catches it.”
The Bruins have maintained an undefeated 10-0 record this season despite several injuries to the receiving corps.
Mizell has emerged as a consistent deep threat, averaging 33.4 yards per catch over his 15 total receptions this year.
With other starters unavailable due to illness or injury, the receiver has stepped into a larger role than initially expected.
Dieffenbach expressed appreciation for the team’s collective effort to compensate for missing personnel, noting “the way everyone steps up, Aidan in particular, it’s just awesome.”
The victory keeps UCLA on track as the team continues its successful season under the leadership of its new transfers.