Over Before It Starts
UCLA entered the 2025 college football season projected 15th in the Big Ten out of 18 teams. Expectations were low, and the Bruins had no clear identity. Second-year head coach DeShaun Foster hoped to silence the critics and guide UCLA to its first bowl appearance since 2023. But from the very first game, it became evident — the Bruins were not a competitive football team.
They opened the season with an abysmal 43–10 home loss to Utah. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava struggled mightily, and nothing seemed to click on either side of the ball. Foster hoped to regroup with two “get-right” games against non–Power Five opponents UNLV and New Mexico, but those matchups only confirmed what fans feared: he wasn’t ready for the job.
Photo Cred: BR
A 30–23 loss at UNLV followed by a humiliating 35–10 blowout at home against New Mexico was all Athletic Director Martin Jarmond needed to see. After Foster’s postgame remarks —
“Not the outcome at all that we wanted. It’s coming down to discipline and execution. Not executing at a high level and not making plays when we need to. We’re not at our best when our best is needed. We’ve got two weeks to fix this, and just looking forward to this opportunity to get it fixed.”
— it became clear that opportunity would never come. Foster was fired immediately following the New Mexico embarrassment, along with defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe.
Tim Skipper stepped in as interim head coach, while Kevin Coyle took over defensive duties. Unfortunately, first-year offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri remained — and the offensive woes continued. After a 17–14 loss to Northwestern in Skipper’s debut, Sunseri was shown the door as well. Though the defeat fell under Skipper’s watch, it was clear he didn’t yet have his full staff in place.
Enter Jerry Neuheisel, the former UCLA quarterback, who was elevated to offensive coordinator — and instantly revitalized the Bruins.
Photo Cred: UCLA
A New UCLA
With a refreshed staff and a new sense of purpose, UCLA prepared to host the #7 Penn State Nittany Lions. From the opening kickoff, it was clear something had changed. Neuheisel’s scheme clicked, the running game dominated, and the Bruins showed a fight that had been missing all season. At halftime, the college football world was stunned — UCLA led 27–7. The Bruins held strong in the second half, pulling off a 42–37 upset that sent shockwaves through the sport.
The momentum carried into the next week, as UCLA traveled to East Lansing and dismantled Michigan State. After allowing an opening-drive touchdown, the Bruins responded with 38 unanswered points, cruising to a 38–13 rout. Returning home to face Maryland, UCLA looked to extend its winning streak to three. Oddsmakers favored the Bruins, but the Terrapins refused to back down. After a scoreless first quarter and a tight defensive battle, UCLA entered the fourth quarter trailing 10–7.
Photo Cred: SI
Needing a spark, the Bruins’ defense forced a quick three-and-out. But a fumble by Iamaleava killed the momentum — only for Coyle’s defense to respond yet again, forcing another punt. After a missed field goal with eight minutes remaining, the game hung in the balance. Then, with the clock winding down, Iamaleava led a masterful 80-yard drive in just two minutes, capped by a go-ahead touchdown to make it 14–10 UCLA. A Maryland interception and subsequent UCLA field goal extended the lead to 17–10 with two minutes left.
But Maryland wasn’t done. Backup quarterback Malik Washington engineered a 75-yard drive, connecting with Jalil Farooq for the tying touchdown with just 40 seconds remaining. With the game on the line, Iamaleava delivered again — finding Titus Mokiao-Atimalala on consecutive completions for 33 yards. With 18 seconds left and the ball at the Maryland 40, UCLA just needed a few yards for field goal range.
Then came the play of the night.
Anthony Frias II took the handoff, burst through the right side, and raced 35 yards down the sideline to the five-yard line with 11 seconds left. UCLA lined up for the potential game-winner, and kicker Mateen Bhaghani drilled it through the uprights.
UCLA 20, Maryland 17.
The Bruins had completed their third straight victory, improving to 3–4 on the season — a stunning turnaround from the program that looked lifeless just a month earlier. Next stop: Bloomington, where they’ll face the Indiana Hoosiers.
Key Stats
UCLA
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Nico Iamaleava: 21/35, 221 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
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Anthony Frias II: 4 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD
Maryland
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Malik Washington: 23/48, 210 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
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Dejuan Williams: 7 receptions, 86 yards
