News Summary
UCLA’s football team suffered a disappointing 43-10 defeat against Utah in their season opener at the Rose Bowl. Under new head coach DeShaun Foster, the team struggled on both offense and defense, failing to build on a positive end to the previous season. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s performance raised concerns, and the team’s tackling issues were highlighted by linebacker Isaiah Chisom. As UCLA prepares to face UNLV next, fans are hopeful for improvement in both execution and discipline to rebound from this lackluster start.
Pasadena, CA – UCLA’s football team opened its season with a disappointing performance, suffering a significant 43-10 loss to Utah at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. This game marked the debut of head coach DeShaun Foster, who had kept the media at bay during training camp, tightly controlling access to practice sessions and opting for limited observation opportunities.
UCLA struggled offensively and defensively throughout the match, raising concerns about the team’s progression from the previous season. New starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed just 11 of 22 passes for 136 yards, along with a touchdown and an interception. The rushing game fared even worse, with running backs only managing 37 rushing yards, averaging merely 2.5 yards per carry.
The defense, which was expected to be a focal point of the season, failed to make a significant impact. UCLA’s defensive unit missed several tackles and struggled to pressure Utah quarterback Devon Dampier. As a result, Dampier had an outstanding game, completing 21 of 25 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while also accumulating 87 rushing yards. Utah dominated the field, amassing 492 total yards of offense and converting 14 of 17 third downs.
UCLA managed a little better regarding penalties, committing only three for 30 yards, which is a notable improvement from the previous season’s statistics. Despite this, the overall performance was lackluster, giving Utah a comfortable lead of 23-7 at halftime. UCLA faced a daunting challenge in the second half, allowing a long, 20-play scoring drive that further emphasized their defensive struggles.
Linebacker Isaiah Chisom attributed UCLA’s tackling issues to a lack of discipline, which is a concern moving forward. Foster recognized the need for the team to regroup after this disappointing start and will need to address these crucial issues in upcoming practices. Iamaleava acknowledged the team’s shortcomings but emphasized the importance of patience and hard work to improve in future games.
This loss was particularly disappointing considering UCLA had concluded the previous season positively, leading fans and analysts to hope for a stronger opening performance. Even with the presence of former UCLA quarterback Brett Favre and several NFL scouts, the Bruins failed to make a compelling case for their defensive capabilities, leaving many observers unimpressed.
Looking ahead, UCLA is set to face UNLV in their next game, with fans eager for a turnaround on both offense and defense to avoid a repeat of the dismal performance against Utah. The team will need to address both execution and discipline to improve their prospects in the remainder of the season.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Bruin: UCLA Football Season Opener
- Los Angeles Times: Live Updates UCLA vs Utah
- Sports Illustrated: Overview of UCLA vs Utah
- Wikipedia: UCLA Bruins Football
- CBS Sports: Nico Iamaleava Reality Check
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.
