UCLA was 15.5-point favorites and badly needed to earn against New Mexico Friday night at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins instead turned in their worst performance of a disastrous young season, falling to New Mexico 35-10. UCLA trailed by four points midway through the third quarter before the Lobos scored the final 21 points of the game.
So how did Nico Iamaleava fair in UCLA’s third straight loss to begin the season? Iamaleava completed 22-of-34 passes for 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He added 33 rushing yards on six carries. Iamaleava’s late game interception put the final knell in the Bruins’ coffin.
Tavian with the tip-drill interception!
📺: @BigTenNetwork#GoLobos | 🐺🆙 pic.twitter.com/57QCAP96tE
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) September 13, 2025
Now through three games this season, Iamaleava has completed 64% of his passes for 608 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Joey Aguilar has had far more success against a tougher schedule at Tennessee, completing 66% of his passes for 906 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
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UCLA is now off to an 0-3 start to the season with losses against Utah, UNLV and now New Mexico. Things look extremely dire for the Bruins with two of the easiest games on their schedule in the rearview mirror.
The Bruins travel to Northwestern in two weeks and also have home conference matchups against Maryland and Washington. UCLA also goes on the road to face Michigan State in mid October. If UCLA doesn’t win any of those games they will have a hard time winning a game this season.
Through three weeks, UCLA and Virginia Tech are the only power four teams that don’t have a win yet this season. The Bruins have an open date next week before traveling to Chicago to face Northwestern in two weeks.
