PASADENA, California — If someone only watched UCLA’s football team in the second half on Saturday, they would think the Bruins are a top team in college football.
UCLA overcame a historically low offensive start to beat San Diego State 28-10 Saturday in its home opener at The Rose Bowl.
The Bruins were held scoreless in the first half for the first time since 1993. Fortunately for the offense, the defense picked up the slack and held San Diego State scoreless in the half as well.
“That is not the way we want to play football obviously in the first half,” UCLA coach Bob Chesney said. “I think every once in awhile it wasn’t pretty but it was gritty. I thought our guys did a good job of finding a way to win the game.”
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava struggled throwing the ball but extended some drives at crucial points with his legs. Iamaleava threw for just 151 yards and had an unfortunate interception in the end zone in the first half.
“It’s not his best game. He knows it’s not his best game,” Chesney said of Iamaleava. “The grit and the toughness he played with when he needed to get a couple first downs that really mattered to keep drives alive. He put his body on the line, peeled himself off the ground and just kept fighting for his teammates. That’s special.”
“In the first half there were opportunities for us to go and execute and we didn’t,” Iamaleava said. “Obviously I can’t turn the ball over there on the 2-yard line. We responded well coming out for the second half.”
Wayne Knight Helps UCLA Find Offense Against SDSU
The running game picked up Iamaleava and the passing game in the second half. Wayne Knight ran for 3 touchdowns for the second consecutive game. Knight is the first UCLA player to rush for three touchdowns in consecutive games since Zach Charbonnet did it against Stanford and Arizona in 2022.
“Just the positions I’m put in,” Knight said. “When the light shines on you, it’s your time to make that play. Fortunately enough, all glory to God, I’m able to make those plays.”
UCLA’s defense was outstanding and had its best statistical performances in years. The 10 points allowed were the fewest for UCLA since beating Stanford 42-7 in 2023. UCLA allowed just 189 yards of total offense, the fewest since giving up 162 against Bowling Green in 2022.
The Bruins held San Diego State quarterback Jayden Denegal to 45 yards passing despite many deep attempts by the Apple Valley native. It was the first time UCLA had held an opponent under 100 yards passing since holding Kansas State to 79 passing yards in 2017.
X-Factors Help Jumpstart UCLA Offense
UCLA finally broke the scoring drought on its first drive of the second half. Semaj Morgan returned a punt across midfield to set up a quick 4-play, 43-yard scoring drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown run by Knight to give the Bruins a 7-0 lead.
With the way UCLA’s defense was playing, a one-score lead seemed like it would be enough to keep San Diego State (1-1) at arm’s length. The Aztecs scored early in the fourth quarter on a 46-yard field goal by Cooper DiLeva to cut UCLA’s lead to 7-3.
Knight ran for his second touchdown of the game with just over seven minutes remaining to give the Bruins a 14-3 lead.
Linebacker Jalen Woods, who had a team-high 11 tackles in UCLA’s win over Cal last week, intercepted a pass inside San Diego State’s 20-yard line which set up a rushing touchdown from Jaivian Thomas.
San Diego State scored its lone touchdown on some trickery with a “Philly Special” type play where Denegal threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jackson Ford to cut the lead to 21-10.
After an onside kick recovery by Troy Leigber, Knight broke off a 36-yard run to put the game out of reach.
Overcoming Receiver Injury
UCLA had some injuries at receiver prior to the game with Landon Ellis missing the game due to injury and they also suffered some injuries during the game. Brian Rowe Jr. got dinged up after a long reception in the first half but remained in the game despite being limited.
Mikey Matthews injured his leg on a punt return in the first half and missed the remainder of the game. Aidan Mizell, who figures to be in the receiver rotation, also did not play Saturday.
Semaj Morgan was the player to step up off the bench and led UCLA in receiving with 73 yards on six catches, both of which are career-highs.
“When Landon’s not out there, and B Rowe goes down and Mizell can’t go, you’re in a situation where you need people. There’s an opportunity for them to step up,” Chesney said. “I thought you saw that with Semaj. What an unbelievable job by him. It’s hard to go in with your top three of who you think might be playing and then none of them play. It changes the game plan pretty quickly midway through.”
UCLA Dominant In The Trenches
UCLA’s big men dominated on both sides of the ball Saturday.
The offensive line struggled at moments to protect Iamaleava, but moved bodies in the run game and propelled Knight to all three of his touchdown runs. Carter Sweazie, who was named to PFF’s Big Ten Team of the Week for his performance against Cal last week, opened up holes inside with center Riley Robell.
“Let’s talk a bit about the offensive line. From Sweazie to Riley to Eugene Brooks pulling around on that one run. It was violent,” Chesney said. “Wayne doesn’t just score by himself. I think those guys played a physical, tough game up front which allowed him to have the success he had.”
Aidan Gobaira had six tackles with a tackle for a loss and Amier Washington also added a tackle for a loss from the inside.
Notes and Next For The Bruins
UCLA is 2-0 for the first time since 2023 and is 23-1-1 all time against San Diego State.
This is the first time since 2022 that UCLA has had 10 rushing touchdowns over two games. The Bruins did it against Stanford and Arizona in 2022.
Chesney has won 12 consecutive regular season games dating back to 2025 when he was the coach at James Madison University.
UCLA held San Diego State to just 2-for-12 on third down and just 3.4 yards per play.
The Bruins host Purdue next Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8pm. UCLA has not played Purdue since 1980 when it beat the Boilermakers 23-14 in West Lafayette, Indiana.
