UCLA struggles through lopsided loss to potent Utah at Rose Bowl

From the first snap of training camp, DeShaun Foster tightly controlled any narratives about his team.

Reporters never knew how much — or little — of UCLA’s practice sessions they would get to watch, one day being limited to eight minutes of stretching. Mostly they saw individual drills, field goals and — in recent weeks — one snap of the full offense going against the defense.

Photography and video were banned, even at a Rose Bowl practice open to spectators who faced no such restrictions. Foster preferred to let the team’s social media posts and internally produced video series suffice as the story of his team.

As of late Saturday night, the story could no longer be kept secret.

Voices

Plaschke: DeShaun Foster drags the Bruins into another embarrassment 

Bill Plaschke asks whether DeShaun Foster can coach after UCLA’s miserable performance against Utah on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

Aug. 31, 2025

The Bruins don’t appear to be any good.

In a clunker of a season opener, they couldn’t tackle on defense or consistently move the ball on offense behind new quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Utah 43, UCLA 10, end of fourth quarter

Utah started on its 27.

Nate Johnson ran for six yards. Bryce Duke ran for three yards. On third-and-one, back-up quarterback Byrd Ficklin ran for 16 yards.

Ficklin ran for four yards before the two-minute warning was triggered.

Duke ran for five yards and another three yards, moving the ball to the UCLA 36 with 1:09 left.

Utah then took a knee to run out the clock and put UCLA out of its misery.

Utah 43, UCLA 10, 4:32 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 25.

The Bruins were called for a false start.

On first-and-15 at the UCLA 20, Jaivian Thomas ran for no gain. Thomas was stuffed again for no gain. On third-and-15, Anthony Woods ran for five yards.

Will Karoll punted 48 yards to the Utah 27.

Utah 43, UCLA 10, 6:29 left in the fourth quarter

Utah started on is 29 after the UCLA interception.

Wayshawn Parker ran for no gain. Hunter Andrews ran for 25 yards. NaQuari Rogers ran for three yards to the UCLA one-yard line.

And Rogers ran for a one-yard touchdown to complete the short drive. Dillon Curtis hit the extra point.

Utah 36, UCLA 10, 8:37 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA starts on its 25 after the touchback.

Nico Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass, then hit Jack Pedersen for a 15-yard gain. Iamaleava then passed to Anthony Woods for a 13-yard gain. The quarterback was sacked on he next play for a loss of seven yards.

Iamaleava’s pass up the middle was intercepted by Trey Reynolds, who returned it 20 yards to the UCLA 29.

Utah 36, UCLA 10, 10:05 left in the fourth quarter

On fourth-and-12 at the UCLA 35, Will Karoll punted to the Utah 19.

Wayshawn Parker ran for three yards and then another yard on his next carry. Parker carried the ball again for six yards and a first down.

Smith Snowden ran for three yards to the Utah 32. Devon Dampier then passed for 18 yards.

NaQuari Rogers ran for two yards. Dampier then passed to Tobias Merriweather for a 36-yard gain. Dampier capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Dallen Bentley.

UCLA stuffed Rogers’ two-point conversion attempt.

Utah 30, UCLA 10, end of third quarter

UCLA started on its 22 after the kickoff.

Javian Thomas ran for eight yards, then was stopped for no gain. Nico Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass and on fourth-and-two, ran for seven yards to the UCLA 37 for the first down.

Iamaleava ran for four yards before tossing an incomplete pass. On third-and-six, Iamaleava was sacked for a loss of six yards as time expired in the third quarter.

Utah 30, UCLA 10, 2:50 left in the third quarter

Utah starts on its 19 after Smith Snowden returned the kickoff 15 yards.

Wayshawn Parker ran for nine yards, but Utah was called for holding. On first-and-20 at the Utah 10, Parker ran for seven yards. Devon Dampier ran for four yards. On third-and-nine at Utah 21, Dampier passed to Snowden for 11 yards and a first down.

Dampier passed to Snowden again for eight yards and followed it with a pass to Ryan Davis for six yards, moving the ball to the Utah 48. NaQuari Rogers ran for four yards and another first down.

Dampier passed to JJ Buchanan for three yards. Parker ran for six yards to the UCLA 35. On third-and-one, Rogers ran for another six to the UCLA 29.

Rogers ran for two yards to the UCLA 27. Dampier passed to Snowden for six yards. On third-and-two at the UCLA 21, Dampier ran for three yards.

Rogers ran for on yard to the UCLA 17. Dampier passed for eight yards to Dallen Bentley. On third-and-one at the UCLA 9, Rogers ran for four yards.

Rogers ran for another four yards to the UCLA 1. Rogers was dropped for a one-yard loss. On third-and-goal at the UCLA 2, Dampier tossed an incomplete pass.

Dampier ran for a two-yard touchdown. Dillon Curtis hit the extra point.

Utah mounted what could be a back-breaking drive for UCLA, chipping away at the Bruins’ defense during a 20-play drive that took about 9:40 off the clock.

Utah 23, UCLA 10, 12:38 left in the third quarter

UCLA started on its 25.

Nico Iamaleava passed to Kwazi Gilmer for 14 yards. Iamaleava passed to Gilmer again for 11 yards. Iamaleava’s next pass was incomplete before he found Gilmer again for six yards.

On third-and-four at the Utah 28, Iamaleava’s pass intended for Gilmer was dropped.

Mateen Bhaghani hit a 46-yard field goal to trim Utah’s lead.

Utah 23, UCLA 7, end of the second quarter

Utah started on its 30 after the punt.

Devon Dampier completed a six yard pass. Dampier then ran for nine yards. Dampier’s next pass was incomplete.

Dampier passed for eight yards and Dampier ran for four yards.

On first down at the UCLA 43 with 19 seconds let, Dampier spiked the ball to stop the clock and protect a timeout.

On second-and-10, Dampier completed a seven-yard pass, moving the ball to the UCLA 36 with 14 seconds left. Utah declined a UCLA illegal substitution penalty.

On third-and-three, passed to Larry Simmons for a 20-yard gain, but Utah was called for an illegal touch pass on Simmons. It resulted in a loss of down.

Dillon Curtis hit a 54-yard field as time expired in the second quarter.

Utah 20, UCLA 7, 1:01 left in second quarter

UCLA opened on its six-yard line.

Jaivian Thomas ran for two yards. Nico Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-eight, UCLA called timeout with 2:36 left in the second quarter.

Iamaleava passed to Anthony Woods for 16 yards.

On first down at the UCLA 24, Iamaleava tossed a pass that was on target but Courtland Ford was called for holding.

On first-and-20 at the UCLA 14, Iamaleava scrambles for 13 yards.

The two-minute timeout was then triggered.

On second-and-seven at the UCLA 27, Iamaleava was sacked for a loss of two yards. Iamaleava then ran for seven yards.

On fourth-and-two at the UCLA 32 with 1:08 left in the second quarter, Utah called timeout.

Will Karoll punted to the Utah 30.

Utah 20, UCLA 7, 3:09 left in second quarter

Smith Snowden fumbled the kickoff return and recovered it, but Utah was downed at its four-yard line.

NaQuari Rogers ran for three yards. Devon Dampier passed to Rogers for six yards. Dampier ran for three yards and the first down.

Dampier tossed an incomplete pass, but UCLA was called for pass interference on the play, moving the ball to the Utah 31.

Dampier ran for 16 yards to the Utah 47. His helmet popped off on he play and Utah called timeout while Dampier’s backup was poised to take over the offense for one play due to the helmet issue.

Dampier was allowed to return after the timeout and tossed an incomplete pass. Rogers ran for six yards. On third-and-four, Dampier ran for a loss of one yard to the UCLA 48.

UCLA’s defense earned its first stop of the game.

Utah punted to the Bruins’ six-yard line, where Mikey Matthews took a fair catch.

Utah 20, UCLA 7, 6:46 left in second quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.

Nico Iamaleava passed to Jack Pedersen for 11 yards. Anthony Woods ran for six yards. Woods ran for another two yards. On third-and-two at the UCLA 44, Iamaleava ran for five yards.

Iamaleava added another 21 yards on another scramble up the middle.

On first down at the Utah 30, Jaivian Thomas ran for three yards. Jalen Berger ran for four yards. On third-and-three at the Utah 23, Iamaleava ran for two yards. On fourth-and-one at the Utah 21, Berger ran for two yards and a big first down for UCLA given its deficit.

On first down at the Utah 19, Iamaleava passed to Woods for a 19-yard touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point, cutting Utah’s lead.

Utah 20, UCLA 0, 12:44 left in second quarter

On fourth-and-24, Will Karoll punted to the UCLA 49 to open the second quarter.

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier ran for eight yards and then another nine yards.

Wayshawn Parker ran for eight yards and fumbled, but it Utah recovered the ball at the UCLA 24.

NaQuari Rogers ran for 10 yards and Dampier passed to Lander Barton for a 14-yard touchdown to keep the pressure on UCLA.

Dillon Curtis hit the extra point.

Utah 13, UCLA 0, end of first quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.

Nico Iamaleava scrambled for no gain. Jalen Berger ran for a one-yard loss. Iamaleava was sacked for a loss of 13 yards as time expired in the first quarter.

It’s been a troubling start for the Bruins, who have struggled to move the football and shown even less ability to slow the Bruins’ offense down.

Utah 13, UCLA 0, 1:27 left in first quarter

Utah started on its 40-yard line after the UCLA failed to convert on fourth down.

Wayshawn Parker ran for three yards. Devon Dampier connected with Jackson Bennee for a 17-yard gain. And NaQuari Rogers ran up the middle for another six yards, moving the ball to the UCLA 34.

Dampier ran up the middle for eight yards, moving close to the red zone.

Dampier passed to Smith Snowden for four yards. Dampier ran for another three yards. On third-and-three at the UCLA 19, Smith ran for four yards and the first down.

Dampier ran for five yards to the UCLA 10. Dampier ran for another two yards. On third-and-three at the UCLA 8, Smith ran to the left for an eight-yard touchdown.

Dillon Curtis made the extra point this time, extending Utah’s lead.

Utah 6, UCLA 0, 6:37 left in first quarter

UCLA’s Jadyn Marshall returned the opening kickoff to the Bruins’ 23.

Nico Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass, then connected on an 18-yard pass to Mikey Matthews.

Jalen Berger ran for no gain. Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-10 at the UCLA 41, Iamaleava passed to Hudson Habermehl for nine yards.

On fourth-and-one at the 50-yard line, Berger ran for two yards.

Jaivian Thomas ran for four yards. Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-six, Iamaleava passed for four yards.

UCLA gambled again on fourth down and it didn’t go the Bruins’ way.

Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Matthews and Utah took over on its 40-yard line.

Utah 6, UCLA 0, 10:49 left in first quarter

Utah started on its 25.

Devon Dampier passed for 11 yards, Wayshawn Parker ran for 12 yards and then another three yards to open the drive.

Utah was called for a false start, then Dampier completed an eight-yard pass followed by an 11-yard pass. Dampier scramble for nine yards to the UCLA 26.

Dampier tossed an incomplete pass. NaQuari Rogers rans for seven yards and another three to the UCLA 16. Dampier ran for three yards before Parker ran for a 13-yard touchdown.

Dillon Curtis missed the extra-point attempt wide left.

UCLA 0, Utah 0, start of first quarter

UCLA won the toss and deferred to the second half.

The opening kickoff resulted in touchback.

Demetrice Martin built an early, practically insurmountable lead.

Landing six defensive backs by Christmas, the UCLA secondary coach added two more before the spring transfer portal window closed, making this race appear to be a runaway.

Before long, a formidable challenger emerged. Closing fast in the battle to become the Bruins’ top recruiter on an almost entirely new coaching staff was Andy Kwon.

Kwazi Gilmer, yearning to do something no other UCLA wide receiver has managed, unveiled a new play after practice Wednesday.

Call it the go-for-it route.

“I want to go win the Biletnikoff,” Gilmer announced, “so I’m coming for all the receivers out there.”

Those are bold words for someone from a program whose closest association with the award that goes to the nation’s top college receiver might have been former Bruins coach Dick Vermeil once delivering the keynote speech at the presentation banquet.

Nico Iamaleava is the rare commuter enjoying his time on the 405 these days.

Every pump of the brakes, every maddening mile in traffic that can be more stop than go, puts him closer to hearing his dad’s voice and seeing his mom’s smile.

These are the visits that can fill a young man’s heart, not to mention his belly. During a recent trip home, the UCLA quarterback savored the family recipe of pisupo, a Samoan dish consisting of corned beef with rice.

“I’ve been getting a lot of home-cooked meals from mom and just having them. You know, an hour away has been fun, man,” Iamaleva told The Times after practice Wednesday. “You know, I’ll go to Long Beach as much as I can. But, you know, during this week, I’ve been locked in with the game plan and stuff like that.”

There were some breakdowns before UCLA broke training camp.

Don’t worry, these were the poignant, bring-everyone-together kind.

UCLA’s defense, the biggest unknown on the team a year ago, is facing even more questions.

A slew of players moved on to the NFL. No full-time starters return. Success will depend on several players with promising pedigrees but limited college production becoming playmakers.

As he stepped off a team bus Wednesday afternoon in Costa Mesa amid the warmest day of training camp, the temperature reaching 82 degrees before warmup stretches, Key Lawrence did not appear to feel any sort of heat, literal or figurative. The transfer safety who has made previous college stops at Tennessee, Oklahoma and Mississippi was humming a tune, savoring every moment of this new opportunity.

Try as one might to keep Nico Iamaleava under wraps, the media viewing sessions at UCLA’s football training camp shorter than the lifespan of a soap bubble, several trends have emerged.

The Tennessee transfer unquestionably has a strong arm. Every pass is thrown with purpose and usually on target.

The wiry 6-foot-6, 215-pound redshirt sophomore has a quick release. When he faced heavy pressure during the only team period open to reporters Saturday afternoon, Iamaleava smartly and swiftly completed a short pass when no better options were available.

That thick, wavy black hair once had no place atop Tino Sunseri’s head.

Long before he arrived in Westwood as UCLA’s offensive coordinator and a GQ cover candidate, his father made him shave that glorious mane, the better to protect his head so that it would fit snugly inside his helmet as a young quarterback.

“I always had an emphasis of, ‘Hey, I don’t care how your frickin’ hair looks or what women think,’” Sal Sunseri said. “The bottom line is, I wanted him to be secure.”

This is how the Sunseris operate. Success means sacrifice. It’s why Anthony Sunseri, Tino’s grandfather and the family patriarch, would rise at 5 each morning to prepare for another day of running the family’s Italian deli and grocery store in Pittsburgh. The man who called himself Tony Macaroni wouldn’t come home until after 5 in the evening, only to tackle a stack of bills and other obligations just so that he could get to bed and rise to do it all over again.

A year ago, UCLA was on the verge of Hawaiian humiliation in its season opener.

The offense plodded. The defense was a blooper reel, committing three penalties on the same play. The special teams failed to put enough players on the field, leading to a busted punt coverage.

Shakiest of all might have been the coach.

Having starred as a running back and assistant coach, DeShaun Foster stumbled in his head-coaching debut. Appearing as disorganized and unprepared as his team, Foster didn’t know the proper way to address reporters after his team rallied to beat Hawaii, asking a media relations staff member for help.

An optimist can see and hear it, like a dramatic score accompanying the path to some inconceivable dreamland.

Late in the season, the wins piling up and the buzz building inside the Rose Bowl, UCLA finds itself in contention for the College Football Playoff.

New quarterback Nico Iamaleava elevates everyone around him. New offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri is the envy of every other college football staff. The defense finds more than enough playmakers. Athletic director Martin Jarmond must fight the urge to take a victory lap over his hiring of coach DeShaun Foster.

Of course, there are other views on how things might go for the Bruins in 2025.