News Summary
The Utah Utes triumphed over the UCLA Bruins with a decisive 43-10 victory at the Rose Bowl, highlighting UCLA’s ongoing struggles to revitalize their football program. Despite the hopes tied to new quarterback Nico Iamaleava and changes to the coaching staff, the Bruins fell flat, failing to engage local fans and overcome a challenging game start. Utah’s team displayed strong performance, dominating third-down conversions and establishing early control over the match.
Pasadena, CA – In a commanding display of football, the Utah Utes defeated the UCLA Bruins 43-10 during their highly anticipated season opener at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. The defeat marks an ongoing struggle for UCLA as they seek to revitalize their football program and draw crowds back to the iconic venue.
The game saw an attendance of 35,032 fans, a number significantly boosted by the presence of Utah supporters, further highlighting UCLA’s challenges in attracting local fans. The Bruins faced pressure after making several promising changes to their team, including the addition of highly-touted quarterback Nico Iamaleava and new offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri.
Despite the high hopes, Iamaleava’s debut performance fell flat as he completed only 11 of 22 passes for 136 yards, recording the lowest total yards in a regular season game as a starter. Additionally, his completion percentage of 50% marked the poorest of his regular season career. Critics noted his struggles with overthrown passes and difficulties in tight zone situations, raising concerns over his consistency moving forward.
UCLA quickly found themselves in a challenging position as Utah established dominance early in the game, jumping to a 20-0 lead within the first 18 minutes. Utah’s quarterback, Devon Dampier, stood out with his performance, completing 21 of 25 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the rushing game for Utah, amassing 87 yards on 16 carries and scoring one rushing touchdown.
The Bruins managed to score late in the game, but the early onslaught by Utah proved insurmountable. Utah was particularly efficient, converting 14 of their 16 third-down attempts, showcasing their control over the game’s pace and flow. In contrast, UCLA’s rushing attack struggled, accumulating only 84 yards compared to their average of 86.6 rushing yards throughout the 2024 season.
The defeat poses a significant setback for UCLA, which was hoping to turn around its fortunes with the arrival of Iamaleava and a new offensive strategy. Prior to the season opener, the Bruins held their fall camp 41 miles from Los Angeles in an effort deemed controversial, as it was thought to potentially diminish local fan engagement.
UCLA’s coach, Deshaun Foster, expressed in the aftermath of the loss that Iamaleava’s commitment and perseverance were commendable, despite the disappointing result on the field. The team will look to regroup as they prepare for the upcoming marquee match against their crosstown rival USC on November 23. Both teams currently hold a 4-5 record, with USC historically leading their rivalry series 50-34-7, including wins from 2004 and 2005 that were later vacated due to NCAA penalties.
As the UCLA Bruins work to regain momentum and local support, they will need to build on their skills and strategies ahead of their critical matchups in the season. The struggles of attracting a strong home crowd at the esteemed Rose Bowl remain a concern as the season progresses.
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Additional Resources
- Pasadena Now: UCLA Bruins Drop Season Opener to Utah 43-10
- USA Today: UCLA vs Utah Game Information
- ABC News: UCLA Football Pressures Rival USC
- Wikipedia: UCLA Bruins Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University of California, Los Angeles
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
