UCLA beats Cal in Chesney debut, QB Iamaleava hurt

UCLA opened the Bob Chesney era with a 45-24 victory over California on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in Berkeley, but the win was overshadowed by a late injury to starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The Bruins scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, powered by a dominant rushing attack and two key interceptions, to pull away from their former Pac-12 rival. The game, played at Memorial Stadium, marked the first meeting between the programs since the dissolution of the Pac-12 conference. UCLA, now in the Big Ten, and Cal, now in the ACC, renewed their rivalry in a contest that featured significant momentum swings. The Bruins' offense, which struggled last season, showed marked improvement, particularly on the ground. Running back Wayne Knight, a transfer from James Madison, rushed for three touchdowns in his UCLA debut, while Anthony Woods added two scores and 118 yards on eight carries. The team's rushing attack produced 279 yards and six touchdowns, a stark contrast to the eight total rushing touchdowns the Bruins scored in the entire 2025 season. The turning point came in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 24-24.