UCLA surges late to open Bob Chesney era with win over Cal

Key Points:

• Wayne Knight, a former high school player without Power Four conference offers, led UCLA's dominant rushing attack with three touchdowns in a 45-24 win over Cal in the first game under coach Bob Chesney.
• UCLA's ground game scored six rushing touchdowns, a significant improvement from last season's total of eight, with key contributions from Knight, Anthony Woods (118 yards, two TDs), and quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
• The Bruins' defense forced critical turnovers in the fourth quarter, including two interceptions by transfer safety Ta’Shawn James, helping UCLA outscore Cal 21-0 in the final period to secure the victory.
• Despite an injury scare to Iamaleava late in the game, UCLA adapted well, relying heavily on their running game after losing starting receiver Landon Ellis, showcasing depth and resilience.
• The win marked a strong start for Chesney's UCLA amid Pac-12's dissolution, highlighting improvements in rushing and defense compared to last year's struggles, while Cal, under new coach Tosh Lupoi, showed promise but fell short in this cross-state rivalry.