UCLA grinds out third straight win on last-second FG to beat Maryland
PASADENA, Calif. — It was a throwback kind of game Saturday, with UCLA in its retro uniforms for homecoming.
A Maryland defense that leads the nation in interceptions feasted on a trio of mistakes from Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who has been Mr. Everything for an offense that has taken off of late.
But with Iamaleava’s health in jeopardy late, it was the UCLA defense, a fourth-string running back and an ice-in-his-veins kicker who helped their leader grind out a 20-17 win to run their win streak to three games.
Kicker Mateen Bhaghani converted two field goals over the final 2:04, including the game-winning 23-yarder with a second remaining.
The Bruins (3-4, 3-1 Big Ten) won despite Iamaleava hobbling off the field gingerly after being sacked with 2:09 to play. While Bhaghani’s 42-yard conversion extended the lead to 17-10 just 5 seconds later, it appeared Iamaleava’s night was done.
Maryland (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) then marched down and kept the game alive after freshman quarterback Malik Washington scrambled for a 28-yard run in the middle of a drive capped by his game-tying 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalil Farooq with 44 seconds to play.
Iamaleava, who was being attended to in the medical tent just minutes earlier, surprisingly emerged for the final drive that started on UCLA’s 27-yard line with 35 seconds left. His 14- and 19-yard completions to wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala were followed by a 35-yard run up the middle by reserve running back Anthony Frias II.
Frias fought through contact and remained on his feet long enough to reach the Maryland 5 and set up Bhaghani’s heroics.
UCLA postgame press conference
Interim head coach Tim Skipper, Bhaghani, Frias, slot receiver Mikey Matthews and cornerback Rodrick Pleasant addressed the media after the game.
Video by Bruin Blitz publisher Matt Moreno:
Turning point of the game
UCLA’s defense was on the field for 17 plays, a drive that chewed up more than 8 minutes, before yielding an early second-quarter field goal.
The Bruins needed just four plays to answer with Frias’ explosive 55-yard touchdown run to take the 7-3 lead.
UCLA’s defense turned in a strong half, including a forced fumble by linebacker Isaiah Chisom and recovery by fellow linebacker JonJon Vaughns.
However, an Iamaleava interception inside the final minute of the half in Maryland territory upheld the 7-3 lead. It was Iamaleava’s first interception and the Bruins’ first turnover of any kind in four games.
The Bruins preserved the 7-3 lead with 5:13 remaining in the third quarter. The Terrapins again failed to score from inside the 5, as UCLA cornerback Andre Jordan Jr. swatted away a 2-yard pass in the end zone to force a turnover on downs.
However, Iamaleava’s second interception was returned 8 yards for a touchdown by Maryland cornerback Jamare Glasker. It was the Maryland defense’s fourth interception returned for a touchdown this season and gave the Terrapins a 10-7 lead with 4:40 left in the third.
In the fourth, the Bruins overcame Iamaleava’s third turnover, a forced fumble on a sack, and Bhaghani’s 56-yard wide left attempt.
Iamaleava managed to leave his issues in the past after the UCLA defense forced its eighth and final punt.
The Bruins marched 80 yards in eight plays, and Iamaleava found Mokiao-Atimalala for a 14-yard touchdown in the left corner of the end zone to pull in front 14-10 with 3:33 remaining.
On the next drive, UCLA safety Scooter Jackson intercepted Washington with 2:56 remaining, setting the stage for the wild finish.
UCLA standout on offense: RB Anthony Frias II/QB Nico Iamaleava
It was far from Iamaleava’s cleanest game, but his leadership and toughness shined through when the Bruins needed him most.
Iamaleava was 21-of-35 passing for 221 yards to go with 25 yards rushing.
Meanwhile, Frias showed that his patience to crack the rotation paid off when he was called upon on a night both Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas were limited. The only real question was why it took so long for him to get a second touch and only finish with four carrries.
Frias ran for a career-high 97 yards.
UCLA standout on defense: The secondary
The Bruins knocked away 13 pass attempts, including 10 from defensive backs.
Pleasant led everyone with three pass break-ups. Jordan’s third-quarter swat denied a touchdown and upheld the 4-point lead in the third.
Meanwhile, nickelback Cole Martin contributed six tackles, including one-half for a loss, and a pass break-up.
Why UCLA won
UCLA’s defense under playcaller Kevin Coyle continued to show significant improvement and held it together for an offense that needed time to solve one of the better pass defenses in the country.
The Bruins allowed 337 yards of total offense, and Washington was just 23 of 48 for 210 yards passing and his one touchdown and interception.
Maryland was just 6 of 17 on third downs, with four of the conversions during the one lengthy second-quarter drive.
Offensively, UCLA was just 7 yards shy of reaching 200 yards rushing for a third consecutive game.
Through the air, Mokiao-Atimalala was the top UCLA target with six catches for 102 yards. During a game Maryland’s defensive backs allowed minimal space after the catch, Mokiao-Atimalala had 39 of the team’s 71 yards after the catch.
No other receiver cracked double digits.
