UCLA has experienced more turmoil over the past six months than many programs deal with in years. Yet amid the chaos, quarterback Nico Iamaleava delivered a refreshing performance on Saturday afternoon.
In the wake of Deshaun Foster being fired and coordinator exits, the 0-4 start was an eyesore. Iamaleava led UCLA to a stunning 42-37 upset of No. 7 Penn State on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
The Bruins entered the matchup as 24.5-point underdogs and hadn’t led in a game all season. However, behind Iamaleava’s breakout effort, they became the first winless 0-4 team in four decades to defeat a ranked opponent.
The former five-star recruit who transferred from Tennessee in a rare quarterback-for-quarterback swap, accounted for five total touchdowns --rushing for 128 yards and three scores while completing 17 of 24 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. The performance marked the first time in 30 years a UCLA player tallied at least three rushing and two passing touchdowns in a single game.
“There was a lot of outside noise coming into it,” Iamaleava said. “I told the guys, if you still believe, let’s roll.”
UCLA's Interim offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel praised Iamaleava’s leadership amid the program’s stark changes. “That’s who he is. That’s what he’s capable of,” Neuheisel said. Jerry, who is the son of former Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel, got his own signature win to start his career as a play-caller.
For 60 minutes, Iamaleava showed why UCLA saw potential in a one-time Vols castaway. Amid the doubt, he delivered perhaps the defining performance of his young career.
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