UCLA secured a victory in coach Bob Chesney's debut, defeating Cal 45-24, but the win was overshadowed by a late-game injury to quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
The Bruins found their stride in the fourth quarter, overcoming momentum shifts and a tied score to pull away from their former Pac-12 rival. With the game knotted at 24-24 late in the third quarter, Cal had mounted a comeback, with running back Adam Mohammed scoring a touchdown to equalize. The Golden Bears' defense had also begun to pressure Iamaleava, sacking him twice in the third quarter.
The turning point came in the fourth quarter when a pass intended for a Cal receiver was intercepted by UCLA defensive back Ta’Shawn James. On the subsequent play, running back Wayne Knight scored a 31-yard touchdown. James, a transfer from Iowa State and one of the team's 63 newcomers, was a defensive force, forcing two turnovers in the final quarter. Knight went on to score a career-high third touchdown of the game, and Anthony Woods added a 53-yard touchdown run as UCLA scored the final 21 points.
Iamaleava was injured on a running play with less than five minutes remaining and had to be helped off the field with an apparent leg injury. He was replaced by his younger brother, Madden Iamaleava. Prior to his departure, Nico Iamaleava completed 14 of 22 passes for 184 yards and threw one interception. The UCLA rushing attack was strong, with Knight finishing with 71 yards on eight carries and Woods adding 118 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. The team produced 279 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns overall.
UCLA's offense showed early explosiveness, with seven plays of 20 or more yards in the first half, a mark that matched their season total from 2025. The Bruins will host San Diego State next weekend in their home opener.