Berkeley, CA. — UCLA’s first game under Bob Chesney turned into a fourth-quarter showcase as the Bruins forced turnovers and pulled away from California for a 45-24 victory Saturday night.
In a matchup featuring two programs beginning new coaching eras, UCLA delivered the stronger finish. The Bruins turned three second-half takeaways into points, including two interceptions by defensive back Ta’Shawn James that helped ignite a decisive fourth-quarter run.
James Madison transfer Wayne Knight provided the knockout blows.
Knight broke loose for a 31-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter shortly after James intercepted a pass that bounced off the hands of Cal receiver Ian Strong. Knight added another touchdown on a 4-yard run with 2:58 remaining after James recorded his second interception of the night.
Anthony Woods then put the finishing touch on the victory with a spectacular 53-yard touchdown run, sending UCLA’s large contingent of newcomers into celebration.
“It was a lot of fun,” Chesney said. “That was a battle.”
The Bruins relied heavily on their ground game throughout the night, rushing for 277 yards and six touchdowns.
Knight, who followed Chesney from James Madison to UCLA, finished with 71 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava contributed 184 passing yards and a rushing touchdown.
UCLA also had significant contributions from its revamped roster, using 37 new players in the season opener.
“We all came together with a lot of transfers and Coach Chesney, and we trust him,” receiver Mikey Matthews said. “He’s leading us and we trust him with all of our hearts. So we just play for him and play extra hard.”
Cal Shows Fight Before Fourth-Quarter Collapse
For much of the game, Cal appeared capable of giving new coach Tosh Lupoi a memorable debut.
Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Golden Bears repeatedly answer UCLA’s scoring drives.
But three turnovers ultimately proved too costly.
Sagapolutele’s final two interceptions came during a fourth quarter in which UCLA turned a close game into a rout.
“Definitely didn’t play to the standard,” Sagapolutele said. “Turned the ball over three times. I need to put the offense in a better position and I got to do better myself.”
The Golden Bears had an opportunity to seize control late in the first half after Sagapolutele’s defense forced an interception from Iamaleava in the red zone.
Cal quickly took advantage.
After Sagapolutele had earlier lost a fumble on a sack, he engineered an 87-yard scoring drive in just 38 seconds, connecting with Strong for 49 yards before finding Mason Mini for an 8-yard touchdown.
That score pulled Cal within 24-21 with only 13 seconds remaining in the half.
UCLA answered immediately.
On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Iamaleava hit Matthews for a 43-yard completion, putting the Bruins in position for Mateen Bhaghani to convert a 38-yard field goal as UCLA took a 24-17 lead into halftime.
Cal refused to go away.
Adam Mohammed scored from 1 yard midway through the third quarter, tying the game at 24 and giving the sellout crowd of 54,283 plenty of reason to believe an upset was possible.
Instead, UCLA’s defense took over.
James Changes the Game
The Bruins’ fourth-quarter surge began with James’ first interception.
A pass intended for Strong deflected off the receiver and landed in James’ hands. UCLA immediately turned the turnover into points when Knight sprinted 31 yards for a touchdown.
James struck again later in the quarter, setting up Knight’s second touchdown run and giving UCLA a two-score advantage.
Woods’ 53-yard touchdown run effectively ended any remaining hope of a Cal comeback.
Knight said UCLA’s depth could become one of the team’s biggest strengths as the season progresses.
“We got a lot of guys in there that can make plays,” Knight said. “It’s never going to drop off with any of us. That’s gonna be a huge testament for a lot games that we win this season.”
Iamaleava briefly left the game in the fourth quarter because of a calf cramp but had already helped establish UCLA’s offensive identity.
The Bruins produced eight plays of at least 20 yards, their highest total in a game since 2023.
“We’ve seen our potential out there with this first game and it’s on us to go out there and put in the work,” Iamaleava said.
A Rivalry Renewed
The game carried additional significance because of the history between the programs.
UCLA and Cal met at least once every season from 1933 through 2023, when conference realignment separated the longtime Pac-12 rivals.
UCLA moved to the Big Ten alongside USC, while Cal eventually joined the ACC. The realignment also intensified tensions between the California schools, including a University of California Regents decision requiring UCLA to pay Cal $10 million annually — a financial arrangement that has become known as “Calimony.”
Saturday’s meeting marked a return to the field for two programs now operating in very different conference homes.
The Takeaway
UCLA: The Bruins offered an encouraging first glimpse of Chesney’s program. The running game was particularly effective, while explosive plays kept Cal’s defense under pressure. UCLA’s ability to create turnovers and immediately turn them into points ultimately separated the teams.
Cal: The Golden Bears showed plenty of energy and competed well for three quarters, but the offense’s mistakes became increasingly damaging. Sagapolutele’s three turnovers proved decisive, and Cal struggled to contain UCLA’s rushing attack when the game was on the line.
What’s Next:
UCLA: The Bruins return home Saturday to host San Diego State.
Cal: The Golden Bears travel to Syracuse on Saturday.
