News Summary
In a nail-biting finish, UCLA defeated Maryland 20-17 through a last-minute 23-yard field goal by Mateen Bhaghani. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava showed resilience despite injury, leading critical scoring drives in the final moments. The victory highlights the Bruins’ comeback from a troubled start to the season, improving their record in the Big Ten. Maryland’s three-game losing streak continues as they struggled to maintain a lead in tight matches.
Los Angeles – UCLA defeated Maryland 20-17 on Saturday in a thrilling game that concluded with a last-minute field goal. Mateen Bhaghani kicked a 23-yard field goal with just two seconds remaining, sealing UCLA’s third consecutive victory and improving their season record to 3-4 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten.
The win showcased a late-game rally led by UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who threw for 221 yards and directed three crucial scoring drives in the final six minutes, even after sustaining an apparent knee injury during the game.
Key Moments in the Game
Iamaleava’s performance was highlighted by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mikey Matthews with 3:33 left in the fourth quarter, putting UCLA ahead 17-10. Shortly after, Bhaghani added his first field goal of the game, extending the lead to 17-10 with only 2:09 on the clock. However, Maryland quickly responded as quarterback Malik Washington connected with Jalil Farooq for an 8-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 17-17 with just 40 seconds remaining.
In a pivotal defensive play, UCLA’s Scooter Jackson intercepted Washington deep in Maryland territory, setting up the Bruins for their game-winning drive. Upon returning to the field, Iamaleava completed 2-of-2 passes for 33 yards, culminating in a 35-yard run by Anthony Frias that positioned UCLA for Bhaghani’s decisive field goal.
Notable Player Contributions
UCLA’s offensive performance was complemented by Anthony Frias, who had a notable impact on the game, scoring a touchdown on a 55-yard run and finishing with a total of 97 rushing yards. However, it was not a clean game for the Bruins, who committed three turnovers, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Maryland’s Jamare Glasker, contributing to the tension in the game.
The Bruins faced a frustrating stretch, going nine drives without scoring until Matthews’ touchdown catch revitalized their offense. Despite their struggles, UCLA’s defense managed to keep Maryland scoreless through most of the game until the final minute of regulation.
Context and Consequences
This victory follows a troubled start to the season for UCLA, which included the firing of their head coach and departures of key coordinators. Meanwhile, Maryland, which started the season strong with a 4-0 record, has now experienced three consecutive losses, each by a tight margin of just ten points collectively.
Maryland’s head coach highlighted the necessity for improvement in maintaining leads to prevent future losses. Despite their prowess in interceptions earlier in the season, Maryland was unable to leverage their defensive capabilities effectively in this match.
Looking Ahead
UCLA’s next challenge is against Indiana, while Maryland faces a bye week before hosting Indiana on November 1. Both teams will look to address their shortcomings and leverage their strengths in upcoming games.
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Additional Resources
- Daily News: UCLA Football Escapes With 3rd Straight Win
- Wikipedia: UCLA Bruins Football
- The Sporting Tribune: Maryland vs UCLA Photos
- Google Search: UCLA Football
- UCLA Bruins Official Site: UCLA Takes Down No. 7 Penn State
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Sports Illustrated: How to Watch UCLA Bruins vs Maryland Terrapins
- Google News: UCLA vs Maryland
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.
