UCLA Visits Maryland in Big Ten rematch, Bears Returners From Last Year's 20-17 Win
The short version
- UCLA (3-0) plays at Maryland on Saturday, the second meeting between the schools in the past year as Big Ten rivals.
- UCLA won last season's matchup 20-17 at the Rose Bowl, but lost its final five games afterward.
- Nico Iamaleava threw for 221 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in last year's game.
- Mikey Matthews, who caught UCLA's only touchdown in that game, is out for the season after foot surgery.
- The Bruins held Maryland QB Malik Washington to 210 passing yards but did not record a sack.
The Bruins and Terrapins meet for the second time in a year Saturday, with UCLA off to a 3-0 start and looking for a repeat of last season's narrow Rose Bowl win.
UCLA and Maryland will renew their young Big Ten rivalry on Saturday, meeting for the second time in roughly a year. After going more than five years without playing each other, the schools were paired together last fall and now face off again as conference opponents in College Park.
The Bruins arrive in better shape than they did a season ago. UCLA is 3-0, is receiving votes in the Top-25 polls, and has Bob Chesney in place as head coach. Kickoff is set for 1:30 PM EDT at SECU Stadium, with coverage on BTN.
Last year's meeting, played at the Rose Bowl, ended in a 20-17 UCLA victory. It was the Bruins' third straight win at the time, but it also proved to be their last: UCLA dropped its final five games of the 2025 season after beating the Terrapins.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava returns for the rematch after an uneven performance in last year's game. He completed 21 of 35 passes for 221 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, and added 25 rushing yards on eight carries.
One Bruin who will not be on the field is wide receiver Mikey Matthews, who caught the team's only touchdown pass in last year's meeting and finished with three catches for 31 yards. A foot injury against San Diego State ended his season after two games, and he underwent foot surgery.
On defense, safety Cole Martin was a standout in last year's game with six tackles, half a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup. The UCLA secondary held Maryland quarterback Malik Washington to 210 passing yards, one of the worst outings of his college career, though the Bruins' pass rush did not record a sack in the game.
Cornerback Rodrick Pleasant led UCLA with three pass breakups to go with six tackles. He and the defense will need to rebound after the Bruins struggled against Purdue last weekend.
Other contributors in last season's win included kicker Mateen Bhaghani, who made two of three field goals from 23 and 42 yards; running back Jaivian Thomas, who managed seven yards on three carries and caught one pass for nine yards; and cornerback Scooter Jackson, who had two pass breakups and the game's only interception among four tackles. Linebacker Jalen Berger added three tackles.
UCLA and Maryland kick off Saturday, September 26 at 1:30 PM EDT at SECU Stadium. The game airs on BTN.
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