UCLA’s Spring Football Game Draws Enthusiastic Fans
This year’s spring football games at UCLA brought good news for those hoping to see a revival in the program.
Last year, the team hosted the Spring Showcase, which was quite limited—just a practice session with a handful of fans. Quarterback Nico Iamareaba, who recently transferred from Tennessee, watched in style, sporting sunglasses and a fashionable tee.
This time, however, things felt much different.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the Rose Bowl came alive with various trick plays, including Iamareaba’s flea flicker and a memorable run from 330-pound offensive lineman Mike McDonald, resembling William “Refrigerator” Perry. The high-energy spring game attracted around 10,000 enthusiastic fans.
Under the guidance of new coach Bob Chesney, the blue team managed to beat the white team 24-17, in a game filled with energy, though the offensive display was somewhat subdued. The blue team mostly comprised the starting defense, while the white team featured the offense, with some mixing between both sides.
Players celebrated as backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach’s fourth-and-goal pass rolled out of the end zone.
Chesney took the opportunity, during a field interview that played through the stadium, to declare his vision for a program that hasn’t seen the national spotlight since snagging the Pac-10 title back in 1998. “I’m back, baby,” he proclaimed, adding emphasis with “I’m back.”
Injecting some fun into the atmosphere, Chesney had men’s water polo coach Adam Wright and women’s basketball coach Cori Close each call plays for their respective teams. In fact, Chesney mentioned that Close consulted Rams coach Sean McVay for suggestions on strategy.
This event was really about community and camaraderie.
Backup quarterback Madden Iamareaba, in a friendly rivalry with his older brother, threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Kenneth Moore III, securing the lead for the Blues.
Moore could finally breathe after a previous deep pass he tried was disrupted when he collided with an umpire. It was an unfortunate bounce that had everyone chuckling a bit.
Chesney, standing behind reporters, couldn’t resist joining the conversation, teasing Moore about the mishap.
“Great defense,” Moore shot back, showcasing his quick wit, “I couldn’t even see him. He was pretty stealthy.”
Madden Iamareaba also connected on an 8-yard touchdown pass to receiver Landon Ellis, while Nico showcased some impressive moves, completing a 47-yard flea flicker to Jackson Meehan and capped it off with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Mikey Matthews, who snagged it right at the back of the end zone.
“I thought the whole QB room was performing well,” Nico shared. “There’s always room for improvement, though.”
On the defensive side, linebacker Sammy Omosigiho made a strong impression with a big hit, a sack, and an incomplete pass he tipped. Defensive lineman Lucian Holland also made his mark by forcing a fumble after charging into the backfield and contributing to a tackle for loss.
Chesney gathered the team at a nearby hotel the day before the game, preparing them for the upcoming home opener against San Diego State on September 12. They even took a trip to the stadium that night, giving many for the first time a glimpse of the Rose Bowl logo lit up outside.
“This environment is really something special,” Chesney remarked as he took it all in.
Aside from building teamwork, Chesney emphasized the importance of keeping players healthy while ensuring the audience had a good time.
His team wrapped up the game with a 2-2 performance.
Among the cheering fans was former UCLA defensive back Bob Stiles, who famously stopped a critical two-point conversion against Michigan State in the 1966 Rose Bowl. Reflecting on the event, Stiles smiled and shared his excitement. “This is fun,” he said, clearly enjoying the atmosphere.
