College Park, Md. — UCLA turned a competitive opening quarter into a one-sided Big Ten statement Saturday, overwhelming Maryland 54-3 at SECU Stadium before a crowd of 40,125.
The Bruins entered the afternoon looking to establish themselves in their new conference, and they did exactly that. After a scoreless first quarter, UCLA erupted for 20 points in the second period, added 14 more in the third and finished Maryland off with another 20-point burst in the fourth.
The victory moved UCLA to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play, giving the Bruins their first four-game winning streak since 2022 and their first 4-0 start since that same season.
More importantly, UCLA finally put together the type of complete performance coach Bob Chesney has been looking for.
“We want to play our best football and do it one play at a time, and I think that is where our guys have done a really good job,” Chesney said. “I don’t want to be in a situation where we are limiting ourselves or where we make excuses. For us, just playing our best football. And I thought that we finally played a complementary game of football, where the offense, defense and special teams all got each other’s backs. Overall, it was a good day at the office.”
The Bruins’ defense turned the game into a rout in the third quarter.
With UCLA holding a 20-3 advantage, Ta’Shawn James intercepted Maryland quarterback Malik Washington and raced 39 yards for a touchdown with 11:20 remaining in the quarter.
Less than three minutes later, Scooter Jackson delivered another devastating blow. Jackson picked off Washington and sprinted 65 yards to the end zone, giving UCLA back-to-back interception returns for touchdowns and a 34-3 advantage.
It marked the first time UCLA had recorded two pick-sixes in the same game since its 28-20 season-opening victory at Virginia on Aug. 30, 2014.
The Bruins weren’t finished creating havoc in the secondary. UCLA intercepted four Maryland passes, its highest single-game total since recording six interceptions at Utah on Oct. 3, 2013.
While the defense dominated, UCLA’s rushing attack consistently kept Maryland on its heels.
Wayne Knight led the Bruins with 100 rushing yards on only 10 carries and added a touchdown. Troy Leigber provided another explosive performance, rushing five times for 83 yards and breaking loose for a 63-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Jaivian Thomas and Anthony Woods also found the end zone on the ground, giving UCLA four different players with rushing touchdowns.
Knight opened the scoring with one of the game’s biggest plays. Facing fourth down with 13:31 left in the second quarter, he broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run to put the Bruins ahead 7-0.
The touchdown continued a remarkable streak for Knight, who has now rushed for at least one touchdown in all four UCLA games this season. It is the longest rushing-touchdown streak of his collegiate career.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava provided steady production through the air, completing 15 of 24 attempts for 209 yards and a touchdown. Despite the rain that fell throughout the afternoon, Iamaleava connected with eight different receivers.
UCLA’s offensive balance was matched by a defense that made life extremely difficult for Maryland.
The Terrapins managed just 181 yards of total offense, including 142 passing yards and only 39 rushing yards. Maryland’s only points came on a field goal late in the first half.
The Bruins’ dominance also produced a significant place in program history.
UCLA’s 51-point victory margin was its largest ever in a Big Ten game and its biggest against any conference opponent since a 66-10 victory over Arizona on Nov. 3, 2012.
It was also UCLA’s largest conference road margin since the Bruins shut out Washington State 55-0 in 1955.
The offensive explosion continued a trend that began last week when UCLA defeated Purdue 52-38 on Sept. 19.
For the first time since 1993, the Bruins have scored at least 50 points in consecutive games. They also became the first UCLA team since 1973 to score 50 or more points in consecutive conference games.
Maryland, meanwhile, dropped to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in Big Ten play.
UCLA will now get a week off before returning to action Saturday, Oct. 10, when the Bruins travel to Eugene to face No. 20 Oregon at Autzen Stadium. The kickoff time has yet to be announced.
The Bruins will return to the Rose Bowl on Oct. 17 to host Wisconsin, with the game time also still to be determined.
