UCLA dominates fourth quarter, defeats San Diego State at Rose Bowl

Short-term memory. Coaches stress it — and UCLA needed it Saturday in its home opener against San Diego State.

After his team reached the red zone only once in the first half — on a drive that culminated with an interception near the goal line — Bob Chesney probably wanted to forget about how the Bruins played in the first 30 minutes of his coaching debut at the Rose Bowl.

Fortunately for Chesney, he can feel better about how UCLA performed in the second half.

Scoring all of their points after halftime, the Bruins defeated San Diego State 28-10 to remain unbeaten on the young season.

UCLA 28, San Diego State 10, end of fourth

San Diego State was called for a penalty on a kickoff return that appeared to potentially go for a touchdown before it was called back. UCLA kicked off again and the ball sailed out of bounds.

The Aztecs will start on their 35 with 2:01 left in the fourth quarter. Jordin Thomas ran for five yards to the Aztecs’ 40 and the two-minute timeout was triggered.

Jordan Thomas ran for two yards and no gain before the Aztecs called timeout with 36 seconds left.

On fourth-and-three at the San Diego State 42, Draiden Trudeau tossed a deep incomplete pass and turned the ball over on downs.

UCLA took a knee and ran out the clock on a win.

UCLA 28, San Diego State 10, 2:22 left in the fourth quarter

San Diego State delivered an on-side kick with no return. UCLA started on the San Diego State 42.

Wayne Knight ran for six yards. Knight then ran up the middle for a 36-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

Knight has now scored three touchdowns in back-to-back games.

UCLA 21, San Diego State 10, 2:28 left in the fourth quarter

San Diego State started on its 35 after the kickoff out of bounds.

Jayden Denegal’s short pass was broken up by Derrick Barksdale and fell incomplete. Javion Kinnard ran for seven yards.

On third-and-four at the UCLA 44, Kinnard ran for a loss of one yard. Denegal’s deep pass was broken up, but UCLA’s Scooter Jackson was called for pass interference.

Kinnard ran for nine yards to the UCLA 20. Kinnard ran for one yard and the first down. Kinnard took a direct snap and handed it to a sweeping Denegal, who passed to Jackson Ford for a 19-yard touchdown. The Aztecs hit the extra point.

UCLA 21, San Diego State 3, 4:31 left in the fourth quarter

San Diego State started on its 25 after the touchback.

Javion Kinnard ran for a loss of two yards. Jayden Denegal tossed a deep incomplete pass into coverage. Denegal tossed a pass that was intercepted by Jalen Woods at the San Diego State 19.

Jaivian Thomas ran for nine yards to the Aztecs’ nine-yard line. Nico Iamaleava ran for three yards to the Aztecs’ seven-yard line. Thomas ran to the right for six yards. Thomasp ran the ball one more time for a one-yard touchdown. Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

UCLA 14, San Diego State 3, 7:17 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after a touchback.

Wayne Knight ran for five yards. Nico Iamaleava ran for one yard. Iamaleava looked the pass then dodged tackles while gaining five yards for a first down.

Anthony Woods ran for two yards. UCLA adjusted its pre-snap formation and Iamaleava faked a handoff before passing to Semaj Morgan for a 31-yard gain.

With the play clock running down, UCLA called timeout with 9:39 left in the fourth quarter. Iamaleava passed to Brian Rowe Jr. for a loss of three yards. On second-and-13, Iamaleava passed across the middle Morgan for 20 yards.

On first down at the San Diego State 14, UCLA was called for a false start. On first-and-15, Knight ran for five yards and San Diego State was called for a face mask penalty.

On first-and-goal at the San Diego State 7, Knight ran to the right for a seven-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

UCLA 7, San Diego State 3, 13:11 left in the fourth quarter

On third-and-seven, Jayden Denegal’s deep pass was incomplete, but Rodrick Pleasant was called for a face mask penalty.

Lucky Sutton ran for 14 yards and 10 yards.

On first down at the UCLA 34, Denegal tossed an incomplete pass. Sutton ran for six yards and Denegal tossed another incomplete pass. Denegal was injured on the play.

Cooper Dileva hit a 46-yard field goal to trim UCLA’s lead.

UCLA 7, San Diego State 0, end of third quarter

San Diego State started on its 24 after the punt.

Lucky Sutton ran for one yard and time expired in the third quarter.

UCLA 7, San Diego State 0, 39 seconds left in the third quarter

UCLA started on its 8.

Wayne Knight for one yard. Nico Iamleavea passed to Semaj Morgan for 11 yards. Iamaleava passed to Brian Rowe Jr. for four yards. Jaivian Thomas ran for seven yards.

Iamaleava passed an incomplete pass intended for Brayden Loftin, who was sandwiched between to Aztec defenders. Knight ran for three yards. On third-and-seven at the UCLA 34, Iamaleavea tried to spin away from an unblocked defender but was sacked for a loss of 10 yards.

UCLA’s Curtis Gerrand punted the ball 55 yards and San Diego State returned it three yards to its 24.

UCLA 7, San Diego State 0, 4:41 left in the third quarter

San Diego State started on its 24.

Bert Emanuel Jr. ran for 14 yards. Jayden Denegal passed for three yards. Javion Kinnard ran up the middle for 10 yards to the UCLA 49. Kinnard ran for a loss of one yard. Denegal was sacked for a loss of seven yards by Ta’Shawn James and Scott Taylor. Kinnard ran for nine yards.

San Diego State punted to the UCLA eight-yard line.

UCLA 7, San Diego State 0, 8:04 left in the third quarter

UCLA started on its 36.

Nico Iamaleava ran for eight yards. Anthony Woods ran for three yards.

Iamaleava’s pass intended for Brian Rowe Jr. across the middle was on target but dropped. Wayne Knight ran for two yards. Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass that was broken up.

Curtis Gerrand’s 43-yard punt was returned by San Diego State to its 24-yard line.

UCLA 7, San Diego State 0, 10:20 left in the third quarter

San Diego State started on its 25 after the touchback.

Lucky Sutton ran for no gain. Jayden Denegal tossed an incomplete pass. Denegal tossed another incomplete pass UCLA nearly intercepted.

San Diego State punted to the UCLA 36.

UCLA’s defense came out of halftime firing on all cylinders, forcing back-to-back punts.

UCLA 7, San Diego State 0, 11:17 left in the third quarter

UCLA started on the San Diego State 43 after the punt return.

Wayne Knight ran three yards. Nico Iamaleava ran for 25 yards. Knight ran for seven yards to the San Diego State eight. And Knight ran for eight-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, 13:22 left in the third quarter

San Diego State started on its 25 after a touchback.

Jayden Denegal tossed an incomplete pass. Lucky Sutton ran for two yards. Denegal was sacked by Jalen Woods for a loss of five yards.

On fourth-and-13, San Diego State punted and Semaj Morgan returned it 25 yards to the Aztecs’ 25.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, end of second quarter

San Diego State started on its 38.

Jayden Denegal tossed a deep incomplete pass. Denegal passed to Nathan Acevedo for six yards. On third-and-four, UCLA jumped offsides and Denegal tossed a deep incomplete pass on the free play.

On first down, Denegal ran for nine yards, but San Diego State was called for a personal foul on the play.

On first-and-19 on the Aztecs’ 40, Denegal passed to Javion Kinnard for one yard. San Diego State called timeout. Denegal tossed a deep incomplete pass and the Aztecs were called for holding. On second-and-19, Lucky Sutton ran for no gain.

UCLA called timeout with 34 seconds left.

On third-and-19, Sutton ran for 10 yards.

San Diego State snapped the ball to punt and the Aztecs took their final timeout with 28 seconds left.

The Aztecs punted and there was a touchback.

On first down at the UCLA 20, Wayne Knight ran for 11 yards. Nico Iamaleava spiked the football. On second-and-10 at the UCLA 31 with 12 seconds left, Iamaleava shook off a sack and tossed an incomplete pass that was closer to an Aztec than a Bruin.

UCLA took a knee to run out the clock in the second quarter.

UCLA has taken a big step back in offensive energy, but its defense has kept San Diego State pinned in its own territory and scoreless.

It’s a less-than-exciting Rose Bowl opener for UCLA fans hoping for the same energy the Bruins showed last week during a win at Cal. This should be an interesting locker room conversation as the team searches for momentum. San Diego State will receive the kickoff to open the third quarter.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, 2:00 left in the second quarter

UCLA started on its 41.

Anthony Woods ran for four yards. Jaivian Thomas ran for six yards.

Nico Iamaleava ran for three yards. UCLA called timeout. On second-and-seven, Woods ran for three yards. On third-and-four, Woods ran for four yards.

UCLA Mack Indestad was treated on the field for an apparent knee injury, stopping play with 3:51 left in the second quarter.

The Bruins were called for false start. On second-and-15, UCLA called timeout with 3:03 left. Iamaleava’s pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and it fell incomplete. On third-and-15, Iamaleava passed to Jalen Saint Paul for eight yards.

On fourth-and-seven at the San Diego State 36, Iamaleava tried to run out of a quickly collapsing pocket and was dropped for a loss of two yards.

UCLA tuned the ball over on downs at the San Diego State 38.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, 7:09 left in the second quarter

San Diego State started on its two-yard line after Nico Iamaleava’s interception.

Mikey Matthews was driven off the field for treatment after having trouble putting weight on his left leg following his punt return injury earlier in the game.

Lucky Sutton ran for four yards and for a loss of two yards. On third-and-eight on its four-yard line, San Diego State called timeout.

Jayden Denegal tossed a screen pass to Donovan Brown for no gain.

Semaj Morgan returned a 77-yard punt 22 yards to the UCLA 41.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, 9:19 left in the second quarter

UCLA started on its 20 after the punt return.

Anthony Woods ran for five yards. Woods ran for three yards. Nico Iamaleava tossed to Javian Thomas on a short sweep for a four-yard gain.

Iamaleava looked to pass, left a collapsing pocket and ran for two yards. Iamaleava passed to Brian Rowe Jr. at the 41 and he burst forward for a 45-yard gain. Rowe lingered on the turf, triggering an injury timeout with 11:57 left in the second quarter.

Iamaleava rolled to the sideline and tossed an incomplete pass intended for Harry Lodge. Iamaleava ran for 12 yards on a keeper straight up the middle.

Wayne Knight ran for four yards. Iamaleava tossed a quick pass to Jalen Saint Paul for three yards. On third-and-two, Iamaleava rolled to his right and saw three San Diego State defenders. He heaved the ball across his body to he left side of the field and the ball was intercepted by Mike Lindsay and run back to the two-yard line.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, 14:52 left in the second quarter

On fourth-and-four on the Aztecs’ 44, San Diego State punted.

Mikey Matthews returned it nine yards to the Bruins’ 20. He was crushed on the return and was helped to the sideline medical tent for treatment.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, end of first quarter

San Diego State started on its 14.

Lucky Sutton rushed for three yards, six yards and two yards.

Jayden Denegal tossed a deep incomplete pass. Javion Kinnard ran for eight yards and five yards.

Kinnard ran again for three yards and then carried the ball for no gain. Sutton ran for three yards, setting up fourth-and-four on the Aztecs’ 44 as time expired in the first quarter.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, 8:24 left in the first half

UCLA started on its 20.

Wayne Knight rushed for two yards. Nico Iamaleava ran for seven yards. Iamaleavea passed to Brian Rowe Jr. for eight yards. Iamaleava passed for three yards before passing to Semaj Morgan for three yards. On third-and-four, Iamaleava ran for no gain.

Curtis Gerrand punted and San Diego State returned it to the Aztecs’ 14.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, 8:24 left in the first half

Lucky Sutton ran for four yards. UCLA was called offsides and San Diego State was called for false start on the next play.

Sutton ran for eight yards. Jayden Denegal passed for seven yards and Sutton ran for seven.

On first down at the San Diego State 36, Sutton ran for one yards and Denegal tossed back-to-back incomplete pases under pressure.

San Diego State punted and Mikey Matthews returned it the 20-yard line.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, 12:03 left in the first half

UCLA started on its 25 after a touchback.

Nico Iamaleava passed to Brian Rowe Jr. for nine yards. Anthony Woods ran for nine yards. Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass before connecting with Semaj Morgan for four yards. Iamaleava passed to Morgan again for four yards.

On fourth-and-two at the UCLA 48, UCLA tried to get San Diego State to jump offsides and took a delay of game penalty.

UCLA’s Curtis Grantland punted the ball 53 yards and San Diego State briefly appeared to fumble but was ruled down at the Aztecs’ 10-yard line.

UCLA 0, San Diego State 0, 15:00 left in the first half

San Diego State won the coin toss and elected to defer.

BERKELEY — Wayne Knight didn’t have any Power Four conference offers when he graduated from high school in Delaware. On Saturday, playing for a UCLA program with high expectations, he ran for three touchdowns.

During the opening game of the Bob Chesney era, UCLA’s run game looked dominant during a 45-24 road win over California. Knight, one of 10 players who joined Chesney moving from James Madison to Westwood, was the leader of a group that ran for six touchdowns.

“You always want to get on the big stage and show everyone that you can do it,” Knight said in the cramped visiting press room of California Memorial Stadium, barely rising above the noise of the locker room celebration outside. “Right now, it’s very fulfilling, but we got a lot more to do.”

BERKELEY — The competency alone had to make UCLA football fans want to cry.

To say nothing of their team’s resolve.

Or the multitude of explosive plays. Big plays. Timely plays.

The six rushing touchdowns! Two fewer than the Bruins had all last season.

UCLA applied pressure! UCLA provided protection! UCLA played with pace, with tempo.

UCLA football coach Bob Chesney called the halftime score the most meaningless statistic in all of college sports.

The second most insignificant statistic might be a team’s record after Game 1.

Chesney recalled some dramatic swings in 2024 during his tenure at James Madison.

“We beat UNC 70-50, and we were about to play Ball State, and that weekend Memphis beat Florida State and the next week lost. NIU beat Notre Dame, then lost,” Chesney said. “How are we going to handle that little bit of success that we just had? It’s in their hands to hold each other to the standard. I know our coaches will not relent. I know our captains will not relent, and I really know the players won’t relent.”

UCLA versus California was one of the marquee matchups of the Week 1 college football schedule.

Two first-year head coaches. Two teams with reloaded rosters primed to break out. Two programs looking to make an early-season statement.

And the revival of “Pac-12 After Dark” did not disappoint.

Surrounded by a sold-out crowd at Memorial Stadium, UCLA won the Bear Bowl for the first time since 2022, defeating Cal 45-24. Let’s take a look at five takeaways from the Bruins’ season-opening victory.

UCLA senior wide receiver Mikey Matthews expects the Bruins’ aerial attack to be as electrifying and dominant as their ground game was in a season-opening win over California.

The passing offense lived up to Matthews’ expectations against Cal — but only for a half.

After quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 12 of 18 passes for 179 yards in the first half, he completed just two more passes for five yards — the Bruins’ only yardage in the third quarter.