The Nico Iamaleava era at UCLA got off to a rocky start late Saturday night when Utah routed UCLA 43-10 at the Rose Bowl. Iamaleava did some nice things on the ground but struggled overall in the first game of his redshirt sophomore season.
The 6-foot-6 signal caller completed 11-of-22 passes for 136 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Iamaleava added 47 rushing yards on 13 carries. Iamaleava was effective scrambling, but he often took off running after one read which was an issue that plagued him in his lone season as Tennessee’s starter.
Iamaleava’s lone interception came early in the fourth quarter with Utah leading 36-10. The former five-star recruit misfired on a tunnel screen and threw the ball into the chest of Utah linebacker Trey Reynolds.
Nico Iamaleava is PICKED 👀
pic.twitter.com/iML9uqWO0E— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) August 31, 2025
Speaking of issues that plagued Iamaleava in his redshirt freshman season in Knoxville— the transfer quarterback sailed a pass down the seam in the first quarter. UCLA receiver Mikey Matthews was streaking wide open down the middle of the field.
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An accurate throw likely would have led to a touchdown that would have given UCLA an early 7-6 lead. Instead, Iamaleava overthrew Matthews and he was unable to make the diving catch.
Nico Iamaleava in 43-10 loss to Utah
11/22 for 136 yards
1 TD/1 INT
13 carries for 47 yards— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 31, 2025
Iamaleava’s lone touchdown pass came in the second quarter when he delivered an accurate ball to Anthony Woods for a 19-yard touchdown on a running back wheel route.
Iamaleava spent the first two years of his collegiate career at Tennessee where he quarterbacked the Vols to a 10-3 (6-2 SEC) record and a birth in the College Football Playoff a season ago. But the former blue-chip recruit controversially entered the transfer portal after no-showing Tennessee’s final spring practice.
Reports have varied on why Iamaleava transferred. Most media claimed Iamaleava’s camp was bargaining for a larger NIL deal while Iamaleava’s camp claims he wanted to move closer home and to play in a more pro style offense that would better set him up for success.
Tennessee replaced Iamaleava with transfer Joey Aguilar. It was a strong Tennessee debut for Aguilar Saturday as he completed 16-of-28 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the Vols’ 45-26 win over Syracuse. He also added 34 rushing yards and a fumble.
One Response
Nico ended up on a crappy team, slow out of shape not ready to play ball.
It’s a team failure.
Joey has a strong supporting class on his new team. Hungry and ready to prove themselves out on the field on both sides of the ball.
Nico can thank his greedy dad