The UCLA Bruins won their first game at the Rose Bowl this season, taking down Iowa 20-17. One Bruin had a career day on defense on Friday night, and the Big Ten noticed.
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against the Hawkeye, per the Big Ten account.
Entering Friday night’s game, the junior had not recorded a single interception in his collegiate playing career with the Bruins. But against Iowa, Schwesinger had two.
Adding seven tackles to his pair of picks, Schwesinger continued to show out for the Bruins against a formidable Iowa run game.
Schwesinger’s 92 total tackles this season rank third in the Big Ten, making him one of the front-runners for the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. With three sacks and a forced fumble in 2024, Schwesinger is an impact player each and every week for the Bruins.
UCLA’s defense has been the backbone of its success this season, and Schwesinger has played an important part. With three games remaining on the schedule for the Bruins, Schwesinger looks to surpass the 100-tackle mark as the Bruins inch closer to bowl eligibility.