UCLA can’t overcome pile of mistakes during loss to Washington

The dense clouds that hovered over the Rose Bowl three hours before kickoff couldn’t keep the sun from peeking through to illuminate the nearby San Gabriel Mountains. It was as if the football gods wanted to showcase the majestic beauty of the place one last time, in case this really was farewell.

What happened next could not conjure the same sort of sentimentality.

In what might have been UCLA’s last game at the Rose Bowl after 43 years of calling the place home, the Bruins unfurled the kind of showing that no one would ever want to relive or put in a scrapbook, much less market as part of a future plan at another stadium.

If this was goodbye, it was a sad sendoff.

Washington 48, UCLA 14, end of fourth quarter

Washington started on its 45.

Adam Mohammed ran for one yard, two yards and nine yards. Ryken Moon ran for no gain. Kai Horton, the backup who took over Washington’s offense, was sacked for a nine-yard loss before the two-minute timeout was triggered.

On third-and-19 at the UCLA 27, Horton passed to Dezmen Roebuck for one yard. On fourth-and-18, Horton tossed an incomplete pass and Washington turned the ball over on downs.

UCLA started on its 26.

Karson Cox ran for six yards. UCLA was then called for a false start. Cox ran for three yards, running out the clock in the fourth quarter.

Washington 48, UCLA 14, 4:50 left in fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 25.

Luke Duncan passed to Mikey Matthews for a loss of one yard. Duncan passed to Kwazi Gilmer for 15 yards. Duncan tossed an incomplete pass. Duncan passed to Anthony Frias II for six yards. Duncan tossed two more incomplete passes and UCLA turned on the ball over on downs on its 45.

Washington 48, UCLA 14, 7:14 left in fourth quarter

Washington started on its 35 after the touchback.

Adam Mohammed ran for 12 yards and three yards. Omari Evans ran for 14 yards. Demond Williams Jr. passed to Dezmen Roebuck for 16 yards. Roebuck ran for four yards. Mohammed ran for two yards. Williams passed to Decker Degraaf for a 24-yard touchdown.

Washington hit the extra point.

Washington 41, UCLA 14, 11:19 left in fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 25.

Jalen Berger ran for six yards. Anthony Woods ran for two yards. Luke Duncan, still in the lineup after Nico Iamaleava was injured, tossed an incomplete pass intended for Titus Mokiao-Atimalala.

UCLA punted. Dezmen Roebuck fumbled the ball as he was tackled by Kanye Clark. Jamir Benjamin scooped the ball up and returned it for a touchdown.

Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

Washington 41, UCLA 7, 12:53 left in fourth quarter

Washington started on its 25-yard line.

Demond Williams Jr. passed to Dezmen Roebuck for 12 yards. Adam Mohammed ran up the middle for 15 yards. Williams passed up the middle for 14 yards.

On first down at the UCLA 34, Williams tossed an incomplete pass. Jordan Washington ran for 17 yards to the UCLA 17.

Washington caught a pitch and ran for a loss of one before time expired at the end of the third quarter. Williams passed to Chris Lawson for a loss of three yards. Williams’ pass intended for Omari Evans was incomplete and UCLA was called for pass interference.

On first-and-goal at the UCLA 6, Jonah Coleman ran for two yards. Evans and Key Lawrence were called for offsetting unsportsmanlike penalties. Coleman ran for two yards. Coleman then ran for one yard. On fourth-and-goal at the UCLA 1, officials ruled Coleman was stopped just outside the end zone. The play was reviewed and officials determined it was, in fact, a Washington touchdown.

Washington hit the extra point.

Washington 34, UCLA 7, 2:53 left in third quarter

NBC cameras caught Nico Iamaleava leaving the UCLA medican tent with a towel over his head and getting assistance walking to the locker room.

Iamaleava missed last week’s loss at Ohio State due to concussion symptoms and he stayed on the field after a recent hit against Washington before he was led to the medical tent.

Washington 34, UCLA 7, 2:53 left in third quarter

UCLA started on its 18 after a kickoff return.

Luke Duncan took over for injured Nico Iamaleava and tossed an incomplete pass. Anthony Woods ran for five yards and Washington was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Jalen Berger ran for a loss of one yard. Duncan tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-11, Duncan passed to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for 24 yards.

Berger ran for two yards before Duncan passed to Mikey Matthews for a 37-yard touchdown. Mateen Bhaghani hit the extra point.

Washington 34, UCLA 0, 5:19 left in third quarter

Washington started on its 32.

Demond Williams Jr. passed to Dezmen Roebuck for 23 yards. Demond’s deep pass to Roebuck was nullified by a holding penalty. Jordan Washington ran for five yards. Williams passed to Chris Lawson for 42 yards, moving the ball to the UCLA 8. Williams evaded pressure ran for an eight-yard touchdown that was erased by a Washington holding penalty.

Williams passed to Roebuck for an 18-yard touchdown and Washington hit the extra point.

Washington 27, UCLA 0, 8:21 left in third quarter

UCLA started on its 25.

Anthony Frias II ran for five yards. Nico Iamaleava passed to Frias for 10 yards. Frias ran for no gain. Iamaleava’s deep pass fell incomplete.

Iamaleava was sacked for a loss of 15 yards and was treated on the field for an injury during the play. Iamaleava was helped to the medical tent and Will Karoll punted to the Washington 32.

Washington 27, UCLA 0, 10:38 left in third quarter

Washington started on its 45 after the punt.

Demond Williams Jr. tossed an incomplete pass. Adam Mohammed ran fir nine yards. Williams ran for 21 yards and then passed to Dezmen Roebuck for 12 yards. Mohammed ran for two yards. Williams ran for an 11-yard touchdown.

Washington hit the extra point.

Washington 20, UCLA 0, 13:35 left in third quarter

UCLA started on its 35 after the touchback.

Jalen Berger ran for two yards. Nico Ialamaleava passed to Mikey Matthews for one yard. Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass.

UCLA’s Will Karoll punted to the Washington 37 and it was returned to the Huskies’ 45.

Washington 20, UCLA 0, end of second quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.

Nico Iamaleava passed to Kwazi Gilmer for five yards. Iamaleava passed to Gilmer for 10 yards. Iamaleava passed to Anthony Frias II for one yard. Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass before passing to Hudson Habermehl for five yards and Washington called timeout with 1:02 left.

On fourth-and-four at the UCLA 46, Iamaleava tried to evade a sack and fumbled as he slipped hit the ground. Washington collected the ball and ran it back to the UCLA 44. Washington was called for holding in the secondary, erasing the turnover. The Huskies’ sideline was also warned for unsportsmanlike conduct in response to the apparent fumble recovery.

On first down at the UCLA 44, Iamaleava’s pass intended for Mikey Matthews sailed high and fell incomplete. Anthony Woods ran for four yards, but the Bruins were called for holding.

UCLA called timeout.

On second-and-15, Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass. Iamaleava passed to Anthony Woods for seven yards. UCLA punted to the Washington 7.

Adam Mohammed ran for no gain and time expired in the second quarter.

Washington 20, UCLA 0, 1:44 left in the second quarter

UCLA started on its 24 after the interception return.

Mikey Matthews ran for one yard. Iamaleava tossed an incomplete pass under heavy pressure. Iamaleava passed to Titus Mokio-Atimalala for nine yards, but there was a flag for UCLA’s illegal formation. On third-and-14, the two-minute timeout was triggered. Iamaleava’s pass intended for Mokio-Atimalala sailed high and off target.

On fourth-and-14, it appeared Mateen Bhaghani lined up for a field goal, but it was a trick play. Cash Peterman snapped the ball off target and Alex McLaughlin scrambled to grab it and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown.

Washington hit the extra point.

Washington 13, UCLA 0, 3:11 left in the second quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after a 25-yard Cole Martin kickoff return.

Nico Iamaleava ran for five yards. Anthony Woods ran for three yards. Iamaleava ran for no gain and UCLA punted to the Washington 25.

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr.’s pass was intercepted by Cole Martin and returned 27 yards to the Washington 24.

Washington 13, UCLA 0, 5:46 left in the second quarter

Washington starts on the UCLA 45 after the Bruins’ fumble.

Demond Williams Jr.’s pass was incomplete, but UCLA was called for pass interference. Williams ran for two yards and then passed for two yards to Omari Evans. Williams passed to Evans for five yards. On fourth-and-one at the UCLA 21, Jordan Washington ran for 12 yards.

Mohammed Adams ran for five yards. Williams tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-goal at the UCLA 4, Williams scrambled to pick up a low snap as the play clock was expiring and he tossed an incomplete pass.

Grady Gross hit a 22-yard field goal to extend Washington’s lead.

Washington 10, UCLA 0, 10:56 left in the second quarter

Washington started on its 35 after the punt.

Adam Mohammed ran for five yards. Demond Williams Jr. passed to Omari Evans for 13 yards. Williams’ next deep pass was off target and fell incomplete. Mohammed ran for nine yards and another three yards.

Williams passed to Evans for seven yards. Mohammed ran for three yards. Washington called timeout with 11:03 remaining in the second quarter.

Williams kept the ball and sliced up field for a 25-yard touchdown.

Washington hit the extra point.

Washington 3, UCLA 0, 14:48 left in the second quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.

Anthony Woods ran for three yards. Nico Iamaleava passed to Rico Flores Jr. for three yards as time expired in the first quarter. Iamaleava’s deep pass intended for Titus Mokiao-Atimalala was on target and dropped.

UCLA punted to the Washington 35.

Washington 3, UCLA 0, 1:10 left in the first quarter

UCLA started on its 20 after the punt.

Nico Iamaleava passed to Mike Matthews. Rahshawn Clark punched the ball out of Matthews’ hands and Dylan Robinson recovered for Washington at the UCLA 20.

Demond Williams Jr. passed to Decker Deraaf for two yards. Williams tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-eight at the UCLA 18, Williams tossed an incomplete pass.

Grady Gross hit a 36-yard field goal.

UCLA 0, Washington 0, 2:08 left in the first quarter

Washington started on its 33 after stopping UCLA on fourth down.

Adam Mohammed ran for 13 yards, nine yards and no gain. Mohammed ran for one yard and the spot was reviewed before it was deemed a first down at the UCLA 44.

Demond Williams Jr. ran for one yard. Williams passed for seven yards. On third-and-two at the UCLA 36, Williams was tackled for a four-yard loss. Washington appeared to go for it on fourth-and-six, but instead took a delay of game penalty and punted into the end zone.

UCLA 0, Washington 0, 6:45 left in the first quarter

UCLA started on its 16 after the punt.

Jalen Berger ran for three yards. Nico Iamaleava passes to Mikey Matthews for one yard. Iamaleava scrambled for 26 yards. Iamaleava passed to Anthony Frias II for four yards. Iamaleava passed to Anthony Woods for 11 yards.

Woords ran for one yard. Iamaleava passed to Jack Pedersen for five yards. Iamaleava passed to Berger for no gain. On fourth-and-four at the Washington 33, pass intended for Kwazi Gilmer was broken up and the Bruins turned the ball over on downs.

UCLA 0, Washington 0, 12:10 left in the first quarter

UCLA Washington started on its 25 after the touchback.

Demond Williams Jr. passed for a loss of one yard. Williams passed to Decker Degraaf for 20 yards.

Adam Mohammed ran for two yards and another three yards. Williams tossed an incomplete pass.

Washington punted to the UCLA 16.

UCLA 0, Washington 0, start of first quarter

UCLA won the coin toss and deferred, kicking off to Washington.

Those who want to stay at the Rose Bowl describe the place as iconic, an ode to everything that’s great about college football. They say it oozes history and tradition. Just the sight of the glowing neon sign is enough to give them goosebumps.

Those who want to go call the place a dump. They say it’s old and decaying by the day, a shell of its former greatness. Why hold on so hard when a futuristic stadium in Inglewood could provide not only a home closer to campus but also an infusion of cash as part of a more favorable lease?

Going into what could be UCLA’s last home game ever at its century-old stadium Saturday night, some with deep ties to the school say they understand each of the dueling perspectives in the debate over a possible move to SoFi Stadium.

The former head of UCLA’s football name, image and likeness collective on Thursday denied any impropriety related to a report that revealed efforts by the school’s athletic department to funnel NIL donations through his nonprofit charity.

The story published by the muckraking college football website foiaball.com showed email communications from UCLA athletic department officials directing payments intended for Bruins for Life, the onetime NIL collective of the school’s football program, through Shelter 37 Inc., a tax-exempt charity that purports to empower home ownership and help local youth through a variety of activities.

Donating through Shelter 37 would provide a tax deduction not available to those giving directly to Bruins for Life — a standard practice in the NIL sphere — but it also raised questions about a potential conflict of interest and the control of funds given James Washington ran Bruins for Life until recently and remains the president of Shelter 37.

The nostalgia hit Ross Niederhaus in the grocery store as he stocked up for what might be his last Rose Bowl tailgate.

This has been nearly a lifelong tradition for the native of Linda Vista, starting in 2005 when he was 8 years old and UCLA romped over Oregon State. When he got his driver’s license in 2012, Niderhaus started throwing his own tailgates, bringing chicken-in-a-biscuit crackers because he couldn’t afford fancier fare.

He was back Saturday afternoon underneath a tent on the grass in Lot H, wearing his favorite No. 2 Eric McNeal jersey, possibly here for the last time as the Bruins contemplate whether they will remain at the place they have called home since 1982 or move to SoFi Stadium for the 2026 season.

On the drive up to the Rose Bowl’s front door, underneath the legendary glowing sign, toward the picturesque purple mountains, there stands the most impactful symbol of the school that plays there.

It is a statue of Jackie Robinson in a UCLA football uniform.

He is cradling the ball in his left hand and warding off impending tacklers with his right, a striking bronze symbol of a university’s resilience and strength. The most formidable figure in American sports history is standing where he grew up, where his team lives and where he forever will embody the epitome of the gutty Bruin.

Nobody represents the mission of UCLA more than Jackie Robinson.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Going into the first start of his career, Luke Duncan would be facing the nation’s top-ranked team in one of the most intimidating environments in college football with an offensive line missing its most veteran starter.

It went about as well as one might expect.

Don’t blame Duncan, the UCLA backup quarterback who did his best with a conservative game plan in the absence of Nico Iamaleava. It was just that the Bruins were so thoroughly outclassed that they basically had no chance with their star quarterback sidelined by concussion symptoms he experienced earlier in the week.

Nico Iamaleava is back.

The UCLA quarterback who sat out last weekend’s game against Ohio State because of a concussion has been cleared to play against Washington on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of health matters. Iamaleava was released from concussion protocol on Monday night.

The return of the Bruins’ best player should significantly enhance an offense that unveiled a conservative game plan against the Buckeyes under backup quarterback Luke Duncan.