In front of a sellout crowd at California Memorial Stadium, the UCLA Bruins secured a 45‑24 win in their first game under head coach Bob Chesney, snapping a modest start to the season and giving Chesney a 13‑4 record in season‑opener contests.
Game Highlights
The Bruins’ offensive arsenal was on full display, with quarterback Nico Iamaleava accounting for a rushing touchdown and a 14‑of‑22 passing performance for 184 yards, while wide receiver Mikey Matthews posted a career‑high 88 receiving yards.
Wayne Knight added two of his three career‑best touchdowns in the final quarter, including a four‑yard push that extended the lead, and Anthony Woods contributed two rushing scores, the latter a 53‑yard sprint that sealed the victory.
Defensively, the newcomers made an immediate impact; safety Ta’Shawn James intercepted twice, one of which he returned 19 yards, while linebacker Sammy Omosigho logged 14 tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss, and cornerback Derrick Barksdale recorded a sack from the backfield.
California fought back with Adam Mohammed’s 120‑yard effort and a one‑yard touchdown run, and quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele threw for two scores but also posted two interceptions, keeping the game competitive through the third quarter.
A halftime field goal by Towns McGough gave UCLA a 24‑17 lead, but the Bruins’ fourth‑quarter surge, fueled by Knight’s and Woods’ scores, created a decisive margin that the Golden Bears could not overcome.
The victory improved UCLA’s all‑time season‑opener record to 70‑43‑5 and marked Chesney’s best start in such games, underscoring the program’s depth and the promising direction under his leadership.
UCLA’s next home test arrives on September 12 at 4:15 p.m. PT against San Diego State, a matchup that will further gauge the momentum built in the opener.