UCLA left Week One with a 45-24 win over Cal, and the reaction around the Bruins was immediate. Fans across the country came away talking about a team that looked sharper, faster, and a lot more dangerous than the one they saw a year ago.
The loudest buzz centered on linebacker Sammy Omosigho. The Oklahoma transfer put together a huge night with 14 total tackles, 7 solo tackles, and a forced fumble that UCLA recovered.
He seemed to show up around the ball on play after play, and that was enough to spark plenty of praise from Bruins fans watching closely. Before the opener, he had already been named a permanent captain, and this was the kind of performance that made that choice look obvious.
UCLA’s defense also had a key moment when Cal drove into the red zone but had to settle for a field goal. Omosigho was right in the middle of that sequence, part of a night where he looked like one of the clearest difference-makers on the field for the Bruins.
On offense, returning receiver Mikey Matthews gave UCLA a much-needed lift. He finished with 88 yards on 4 catches, including a 43-yard grab that helped set up a late field goal before halftime.
The connection between Matthews and Nico Iamaleava stood out early, and Matthews looked like the kind of target who could keep climbing as the season goes on. Based on what showed up in Week One, he wouldn’t be a surprise as the team’s receiving leader.
Wayne Knight was another name that kept popping up. The James Madison transfer didn’t pile up the same volume he had with the Dukes, but he made his touches count.
Even with a quieter first half, Knight averaged 8.9 yards per carry and finished with a hat trick of crucial touchdowns in the Bruins’ road win. UCLA’s run game looked strong, and Knight was a big reason why.
The overall picture from the opener was hard to miss: UCLA’s offense looked far better than it did last season, and the roster had several players who clearly popped. That has pushed expectations higher for Bob Chesney and Co. as the Bruins move into the Big Ten.
Next up is a home matchup with San Diego State. If UCLA’s ground game keeps rolling the way it did against Cal, the Rose Bowl should be plenty lively next Saturday.
In Other News...
UCLA's First Depth Chart Will Answer One Huge Question Fast
UCLAs preseason picture is finally starting to come into focus, and the first depth chart should tell a lot about how the Bruins want to line up for their opener against Cal. The expected offense has a few familiar anchors and a heavy dose of new faces, with Madden Iamaleava projected to lead the group at quarterback and captain, while transfer running back Wayne Knight is among the players expected to play a major role as the staff sorts through the rest of the rotation.
Even after all the summer movement, there are still plenty of jobs up for grabs on both sides of the ball, and the initial chart should offer the clearest look yet at which transfers have already made the strongest case and which returning players are holding off challengers. For a team still trying to settle on its identity before kickoff, the first official lineup will answer some immediate questions while leaving a few more in the air. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA's Secondary Just Got A Boost And A New Camp Question
A welcome bit of clarity arrived for UCLAs secondary as Scooter Jackson has been cleared to play this season after dealing with academic eligibility issues earlier in the year. Jackson missed part of spring practice, but he was back for fall camp and is now expected to be available when the Bruins open against Cal in Week 1, giving the defense a seasoned piece at a position group that can never have too much depth.
What makes Jackson particularly useful is the kind of versatility he brings to the back end. He has experience lining up at multiple spots in the secondary, and after a strong 2025 season with UCLA, his return gives the Bruins another player they can trust as camp sorting continues. The bigger question now is how the staff chooses to deploy him once the games start, and where he fits in a defensive picture that could still use a few answers. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Faces Early Cal Questions As Key Roles Remain Unsettled
With Week One against Cal approaching, UCLA is still sorting out a few important pieces as the Bruins get ready to see who can step into meaningful roles right away. Bob Chesney has already pointed to Trent Hendrick as someone who should be able to help on defense and special teams, a useful early sign for a team trying to settle its depth chart before the opener.
The uncertainty extends beyond Hendrick, with Brian Rowe, Landon Ellis and James Madison transfer West among the names worth tracking as the matchup draws closer. For UCLA, the first game is as much about finding reliable contributors as it is about the result itself, and the way those roles shake out could say plenty about how ready the Bruins are for the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]