On Saturday night, there were some tense moments when it seemed like UCLA’s promising season might stumble before truly getting underway.
Purdue, coming off an 18-game Big Ten losing streak and without a win against any Power Four team since 2023, faced a steep challenge as two-touchdown underdogs, far from home. This was supposed to be a straightforward win for the Bruins as they sought to build on the positive momentum generated under Bob Chesney.
But things didn’t go as planned; they faced an unexpected challenge.
However, in what could be a glimpse of UCLA’s evolving character, they managed to regroup, bounce back, and come out on top. Despite going down early in the second half and facing a standout performance from Purdue’s quarterback Ryan Browne, they ultimately claimed a 52-38 victory, marking their third win under Chesney and proving their mettle in their Big Ten opener.
The game wasn’t perfect or even particularly comfortable for the Bruins, but they remain unbeaten.
Wayne Knight is definitely looking like one of the best additions Chesney has made from his time at James Madison.
He rushed for 177 yards on 18 carries and found the end zone twice, totaling eight rushing touchdowns over three games. The 5-foot-7 running back has amassed 345 yards this season, establishing himself as a key player in UCLA’s revamped running game.
Time and again, it looked like the Bruins might put Purdue away, establishing multiple 14-point leads, yet the Boilermakers kept fighting back. Browne torched UCLA’s secondary for a career-high 378 yards and threw three touchdowns on a 19-of-30 completion rate, with running back Fame Ijeboi contributing two rushing touchdowns.
At one point, Purdue surged ahead 28-24 in the third quarter after Browne connected with George Burhenn for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
The anxiety in the Rose Bowl was palpable as the Boilermakers sensed they could pull off an upset.
But UCLA responded like a mature team; they went on a 21-3 scoring streak, regaining the lead with Anthony Woods’ 16-yard touchdown run, followed by a 7-yard touchdown from Knight. What had looked like a precarious situation morphed into another learning moment in the early days of the Chesney era.
What it means
UCLA stands at 3-0.
No need for further questions or apologies.
While the Bruins aren’t flawless, their defense will need to clean up after allowing Browne to rack up nearly 400 passing yards. Stronger Big Ten teams might make them pay for such mistakes in the future.
Yet, considering the struggles this program has faced recently, winning—even when it’s not pretty—is far better than losing spectacularly.
Chesney has already instilled a much-needed sense of belief within the team.
Turning point
Purdue had just taken the lead at 28-24, putting the Bruins in a tough spot.
But UCLA quickly answered back.
Woods scored a 16-yard touchdown to regain the lead, and Knight followed with another touchdown, allowing the Bruins to take control of the game—and they didn’t look back.
MVP: UCLA RB Wayne Knight
Who else could it be?
Knight has transformed from a transfer from James Madison into the powerhouse of UCLA’s offense in just three weeks.
His 177-yard outing was his best yet and marks him among the great UCLA running backs of the past, tallying eight rushing touchdowns within three games. Only Maurice Jones-Drew has equaled this feat in recent history.
Did you see that?
Nico Iamaleava finally got on the board with a touchdown pass.
After starting the season without a touchdown throw in his first two games—something not seen at UCLA since 1995—Iamaleava broke through with 276 yards and three touchdown passes. This is a positive sign, especially since the Bruins can’t rely solely on Knight to carry the offense.
Saturday provided a glimpse of what this offense can become if quarterback and running game sync up effectively. Scoring 52 points is the highest for UCLA since they notched 59 against North Carolina Central back in September 2023.
Up next
UCLA will hit the road for two crucial Big Ten matchups, putting their undefeated record on the line against Maryland and Oregon.
