A victory against Purdue would certainly keep the momentum going for UCLA as they navigate the early days of the Bob Chesney era.
A loss? Well, that would shake things up significantly.
The last few seasons have sent Purdue fans seeking out their own remedies, perhaps mixing some whiskey with a beer chaser.
It’s been a tough road for the Boilermakers, who haven’t defeated a Power Four opponent since their win over Indiana to close out the 2023 season. They did manage to snag a victory against Indiana State earlier this month, which ended a 10-game losing streak, yet that didn’t erase a much longer 21-game drought against major-conference teams.
For context, Purdue’s last win against a Big Ten opponent was that game against Indiana three years ago, resulting in an ongoing string of 18 losses against conference rivals.
A defeat here would not bode well for the budding enthusiasm surrounding Chesney’s leadership.
With the Bruins at 2-0 and the Boilermakers at 1-1, here are five aspects to keep an eye on when they face off on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl:
Progress on the Horizon
Purdue might just be on the verge of breaking that unfortunate streak against major-conference teams, as they nearly achieved that feat last week.
The Boilermakers pushed Wake Forest to double overtime, only to fall 38-36 due to a last-second two-point conversion.
For most of the game, they seemed quite strong.
Quarterback Ryan Browne had an impressive performance, completing 32 of 43 passes for a career-high 329 yards, while running back Fame Ijeboi contributed with 114 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Needless to say, they’ve caught Chesney’s eye.
“I think they’re as complete as they can be right now,” he stated, noting his previous recruitment of Browne in high school, “and I think that they believe.”
In a Bit of a Slump
Nico Iamaleava, the UCLA quarterback, isn’t having the smoothest start to the season.
He’s acknowledged that low point himself.
It’s the first time since 2024 that he hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in two consecutive games, and he’s aware he needs to sync up better with new offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy.
Kennedy believes it’s just a matter of time, though the question remains—how much time?
“I mean, everything’s about trust, right?” Kennedy pointed out. “You have to prove that you’ve got their backs, and they have to prove the same for you.”
Facing a Purdue defense that’s given up 221.5 yards per game, sitting at a not-so-great 90th in the nation, may provide just what Iamaleava needs to find his stride.
Ground Game Dominance
It’s possible for Iamaleava to struggle while the Bruins keep winning.
That might happen if they continue to lean heavily on a run game that’s proven quite effective this season.
Boasting an average of 245.5 rushing yards per game, 22nd in the nation, they’ve already accrued 10 rushing touchdowns—two more than their entire total from last season.
Wayne Knight has set a historic pace by becoming the first UCLA player to rush for six touchdowns in his first two games.
What does he need to focus on now?
“To be honest with you,” Kennedy remarked, “he just needs to keep being himself.”
Need for a Fast Start
Chesney has carried on his trend of finishing strong in games.
Last year, his James Madison team outscored opponents 261-59 in the second half; meanwhile, UCLA has a 49-17 advantage post-halftime so far this season.
However, it would certainly ease the pressure if UCLA could jump ahead earlier in the games.
Kennedy mentioned that players struggled during practice before the San Diego State game, which showed in their performance.
By midweek, though, the Bruins were back on track to meet the standards Kennedy expects.
“The biggest piece for us is starting fast this game,” he emphasized. “It’s crucial to put the pedal down early and maintain that throughout the four quarters.”
A New Set of Stars
UCLA held San Diego State to a meager 45 passing yards—the lowest they’ve allowed since 2009.
Granted, a lot of that success was due to the Aztecs’ underwhelming quarterback play, but UCLA’s defensive pressure certainly played a role.
Defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler expressed enthusiasm about the efforts of edge rushers Sahir West, Aiden Gobaira, Scott Taylor, and Cole Cogshell, who have combined for 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries early in the season.
“We’re excited about our third-down pass-rush ability, and we try to provide enough varied looks to create some challenges on third down as well,” Hitschler said. “They’ve been effective in pressuring the quarterback, even if they haven’t racked up the sacks yet. But I’m confident we’ll get them.”
