News Summary
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava showed impressive resilience, guiding his team to a 20-17 win against Maryland despite facing aggressive defense and a mid-game injury. This victory marks UCLA’s third straight win, improving their overall record to 3-4 and 3-1 in the Big Ten Conference. Iamaleava completed 21 of 35 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. As the Bruins prepare for their next match against No. 3 Indiana, this win boosts their confidence after a challenging season start.
LOS ANGELES – UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava showcased remarkable resilience, leading his team to a 20-17 victory over Maryland despite struggling with aggressive defensive pressures and a mid-game knee injury. The win marks UCLA’s third consecutive victory, improving their record to 3-4 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten Conference.
During the match, Iamaleava faced significant challenges, with Maryland employing various defensive schemes that created confusion. Their aggressive tactics included clever coverages that disrupted Iamaleava’s play, leading to a tricky sack caused by misalignment in blocking. These disruptions hampered his ability to both pass and scramble effectively throughout the game.
With just over two minutes left in a tense moment, Iamaleava suffered a knee injury as he was taken down while attempting to deliver a pass. Initially holding his right knee, he stayed on the ground before walking off the field under his own power. After being evaluated by team personnel, Iamaleava remarkably returned to the field shortly after.
With the game tied at 17 all after Maryland scored with 40 seconds remaining, Iamaleava led a rapid 68-yard drive that took only 31 seconds, positioning UCLA for a decisive game-winning field goal. He completed two critical passes during this final drive, setting up kicker Mateen Bhaghani to successfully convert a 23-yard field goal with just 2 seconds left on the clock.
For the game, Iamaleava finished with 21 completions out of 35 attempts, accumulating 221 passing yards along with one touchdown. His performance included a go-ahead touchdown pass to Mikey Matthews, which had put UCLA ahead shortly before Maryland responded with their late-game touchdown.
This victory continues to solidify the Bruins’ growing confidence under interim coach Tim Skipper, particularly after a rocky start in the season. Conversely, Maryland’s loss dropped their record to 4-3, marking their third consecutive defeat after beginning the season with a 4-0 record. The team has had difficulty closing out games this season, with all three losses coming by a combined margin of only 10 points.
Looking ahead, UCLA will face No. 3 Indiana in their next matchup, reflecting a notable shift in momentum for the previously struggling Bruins as they attempt to maintain their winning streak.
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Additional Resources
- USA Today
- Sports Illustrated
- Los Angeles Times
- Knox News
- ESPN
- Wikipedia: Nico Iamaleava
- Google Search: UCLA football
- Google Scholar: Nico Iamaleava
- Encyclopedia Britannica: UCLA football
- Google News: Nico Iamaleava
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.
