Before the UCLA Bruins’ season opener this weekend at the Rose Bowl against the Utah Utes, USA TODAY Sports released a piece about the Bruins and their new quarterback, Nico Iamaleava.
The story covered how UCLA has limited media access this preseason, along with reporters having limited access to Iamaleava and their new-look offense run by Tino Sunseri. He joined UCLA after leading Indiana’s offense in 2024, which averaged 41.3 points per game, the highest mark in the Big Ten Conference.
While we haven’t heard too much from Iamaleava himself, the USA TODAY story included a quote from UCLA tight end Hudson Habermehl calling his new quarterback “one of the most impressive players I’ve ever been around.”
“The improved offense and a close knit team that connected over “Brotherhood” meetings during fall camp intends to build on optimism from the improved play at the end of last season. UCLA finished 5-7 and didn’t qualify for a bowl game in a full season for the first time since 2019, but four wins in its last six games showed signs of a team that could be competitive in the Big Ten. One of the most-difficult schedules again awaits in 2025. The Bruins open the campaign against Utah, expected to bounce back from a disappointing 2024. Also on the schedule is Penn State and Nebraska, as well as trips to Indiana and Ohio State before closing the season with the Los Angeles showdown with Southern California,” wrote USA TODAY’s Jordan Mendoza.
UCLA had its first chance to impress on Saturday night against the Utes. We all saw what happened.
Brotherhood gave way to weakness. Optimism gave way to ineptitude. Offseason hope was shattered, as UCLA was bullied for 60 minutes by Utah. A tough schedule has to be met with toughness, but the Bruins didn’t have any backbone against the Utes. This has to become a wakeup call for the rest of the UCLA season.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Tough schedule will be an obstacle for growth of UCLA football
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
