Pasadena, CA — The UCLA Bruins returned to the Rose Bowl against the Utah Utes in their first home game of the season. The season opener ended in defeat, as the Utes claimed victory with a commanding 43–10 win.
Utah finished their 2024–25 season with a 9–4 record. The Utes secured a spot in the Big 12 Conference Championship Game, finishing 5–7 overall and 2–7 in conference play. UCLA closed their season at 5–7 overall and 3–6 in the Big Ten.
At 10:49 of the first quarter, Utah running back Wayshun Parker scored on a 13-yard touchdown run, though the extra-point attempt by Dillon Curtis was unsuccessful, leaving the Utes with a 6–0 lead.
With only four minutes left in the first quarter, UCLA struggled to stop the Utes’ momentum. Quarterback Devon Dampier picked up two downs before being tackled, setting up Smith Snowdean, who powered in for an 8-yard touchdown run. Curtis converted the extra point, extending Utah’s lead to 13–0 with 1:25 remaining in the quarter.
In the second quarter, the Bruins opened on fourth down. Wide receiver Rayshawn Glover caught a pass at the UCLA 49-yard line, setting up another Utes drive. Quarterback Devin Dampier connected with Lander Barton for a 14-yard touchdown pass at 12:48, followed by a successful kick, making it 20–0.
The Bruins showed signs of life as Nico Iamaleava ran the ball to the Utah 21-yard line, setting up a critical fourth-and-one. Jalen Berger picked up the conversion, and shortly after, Iamaleava threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Josiah Woods at 6:46. A successful kick from Aaryan Bhaghani narrowed the deficit to 20–7.
Utah quickly responded. After a fumble by Snowdean near the end zone and a defensive stand by UCLA, Dillon Curtis drilled a 54-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, sending the Utes into halftime with a 23–7 advantage.
The second half began with Curtis kicking a 65-yard touchback. Iamaleava completed a 14-yard pass to Kwazi Gilmer for a first down, but the drive stalled. Bhaghani added a field goal to bring the score to 23–10.
Dampier extended Utah’s lead with a rushing touchdown, followed by an extra point, putting the Utes up 30–10 with 2:50 left in the third quarter.
UCLA attempted to rally. Iamaleava scrambled for a 7-yard gain and another 4-yard run, but consecutive incompletions and a sack ended the drive.
Early in the fourth, Dampier capped another Utah drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Mikey Bentley. The Utes attempted a two-point conversion but failed, leaving the score at 36–10.
Utah controlled the remainder of the game, scoring two more touchdowns in the 4th quarter and sealing their win over UCLA.
After the defeat, head coach DeShaun Foster noted on their opponents skill, stating:
“We just played a good team. That was it. We played a good team that came out and played their style of play. I won’t take anything away from them. They were able to execute and do what they wanted to do out there on the field. We’ve just got to come back in, regroup and really just grade yourself and be hard on yourself. This isn’t going to be easy. You can’t just go in there and point the finger at other people. You’ve got to see ‘What did I do to help this team?’”
Bruins head quarterback Nico Iamaleava took accountability for the lack of execution from himself and his teammates.
“We just didn’t execute well. We need to finish drives. Coach Tino [Sunseri] put us in the right position to execute, but me personally, I have to be better. We all have to be better as a unit,” said Iamaleava.
The Bruins are set to take on UNLV next, September 6th at Allegiant Stadium. UNLV has currently earned their 2nd victory, over Idaho State and Sam Houston.
Article: Lauren Rodriguez
Photos: Chuck Null
