UCLA heads to Maryland with a few key questions tied to a handful of players who could swing the game, and the Bruins’ growing health at receiver is right near the top of the list.
Leland Smith made his presence felt late against Purdue, and that kind of reliability is exactly what UCLA needs as the passing game keeps taking shape around Nico Iamaleava. Smith had three catches in the second half last week, and each one moved the chains. With the receiver room finally getting healthier, the Bruins are in position to spread the ball around more against Maryland, and Smith has a chance to build on what he just showed.
Iamaleava’s own role is just as important. He looked solid in his start against Purdue, and UCLA needs that trend to continue if it wants its first 4-0 start since 2022.
The quarterback has taken some hits over the last couple of weeks, so the offensive line will be under the microscope in Week 4. Iamaleava can escape pressure with his legs, but he also welcomes contact when he runs, which is exactly the kind of thing the coaching staff probably loves and hates at the same time.
Maryland’s secondary has given up plenty through the air this season, and that opens the door for Iamaleava to attack while still leaning on UCLA’s elite run game. If the Terrapins spend the week preparing for the ground attack, the Bruins may need their quarterback to do enough as a passer to get them to the bye week unbeaten.
On the other side of the ball, the matchup that stands out is whoever draws Chris Durr Jr. in coverage. Scooter Jackson and Rodrick Pleasant should handle most of that assignment, and how they hold up could go a long way toward deciding the outcome. UCLA probably can’t afford a repeat of what happened last week if the opposing quarterback is allowed to pile up 300-plus passing yards and three-plus touchdowns.
Durr Jr. has been a big part of Malik Washington’s success, and if UCLA can cut off that connection, it could throw Maryland’s offense off rhythm. He’s an explosive player, and the Bruins will need to stay locked in so he never gets a chance to heat up.
In Other News...
UCLAs Fast Start Suddenly Feels Bigger After This Road Statement
What looked like a solid early-season win turned into something more meaningful on the road, where UCLA rolled past Maryland 54-3 and delivered its largest road conference victory since 1955. Under Bob Chesney, the Bruins leaned into a run-heavy approach that kept Maryland on its heels, using direct snaps to create a steady stream of chunk plays and scoring chances.
Wayne Knight, Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas all found the end zone on those direct-snap looks, while the defense kept tightening the screws. UCLA intercepted Marylands quarterback four times, a kind of turnover pressure that can change the feel of a game and, just as important for the Bruins, start to change the conversation around how real this fast start might be. [Read more 🡒]
UCLAs Ground Game Is Taking Over At Maryland
UCLAs trip to SECU Stadium has turned into a showcase for the run game, with the Bruins finding the end zone repeatedly in the second quarter against Maryland. Wayne Knight, Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas each powered in rushing touchdowns as UCLA started to tilt the game its way, while Maryland settled for a field goal in the period.
For a Bruins offense looking to establish rhythm in its fourth game of the season, the balance has come from a ground attack that has kept the pressure on the Terrapins. UCLA is leading at the time of the report, and the way the second quarter unfolded suggested the visitors were in control of the matchup in College Park. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Suddenly Looks Ahead Of Schedule Before Oregon Arrives
A 54-3 rout of Maryland has UCLA sitting at 4-0 and already past last seasons win total, a striking early turn for a program that entered the fall looking for signs of traction. The Bruins have found a rhythm on both sides of the ball, and the attention around Nico Iamaleava and Wayne Knight has only added to the sense that this start is about more than a hot afternoon.
The timing makes it even more interesting, because UCLA now gets a bye week before Oregon comes to town. That break will give the Bruins a chance to reset, but it also means the first real test of whether this fast start is sustainable will sit in the background for two weeks, building anticipation every day until kickoff. [Read more 🡒]