UCLA secured a 28-10 victory over San Diego State on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, overcoming a scoreless first half to assert dominance with a strong second-half performance.
Wayne Knight was instrumental in the Bruins' offensive breakthrough, rushing for three touchdowns after halftime. His 7-yard score with seven minutes remaining extended UCLA's lead to two possessions. The game was effectively sealed when linebacker Jalen Woods intercepted a pass deep in San Diego State territory, leading to a subsequent 2-yard touchdown run by Jaivian Thomas that gave UCLA a 21-3 advantage.
The Bruins' rushing attack has shown significant improvement this season, tallying 10 rushing touchdowns through two games, surpassing their total of eight from the previous season. Knight led the charge against the Aztecs with 97 yards on 13 carries, bringing his season total to six rushing touchdowns. UCLA accumulated 365 total yards of offense compared to San Diego State's 189, improving their record to 2-0 for the first time since 2023.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 14 of 22 passes for 151 yards, throwing one interception, and also contributed 57 rushing yards. The Bruins' scoring began in the third quarter when Knight broke free for an 8-yard touchdown run. This marked a turning point after a first half marked by offensive struggles, including a scoreless tie and an interception by Iamaleava in the end zone.
Iamaleava faced challenges early in the game, with several errant throws and a turnover on downs after being sacked. However, the Bruins, continuing a trend from their previous game where they scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, demonstrated their ability to perform late in the game. San Diego State's coach had previously commented on UCLA's perceived advantages, but the Aztecs were ultimately outmatched by the Bruins' second-half surge.