The Chip Kelly era is long gone, but the growing pains at UCLA are very real — and they hit a new low Friday night. The Bruins were dismantled at home by New Mexico, 35–10, in a shocking upset that dropped UCLA to 0-3 to start the 2025 season.
It was supposed to be a confidence-builder. UCLA entered as a 15.5-point favorite. Instead, it became a historic night — for all the wrong reasons in Westwood. The win marked New Mexico’s first against a Power Conference opponent since 2008.
Freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee amid offseason NIL drama, struggled to find rhythm in his third start. He finished 22-of-34 passing for 210 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His lone scoring pass — a 12-yard strike to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala — cut New Mexico’s early lead to 14-7 midway through the second quarter, but the spark was short-lived.
After a field goal narrowed the deficit to 14-10 late in the third quarter, UCLA appeared to have some momentum. But the fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Lobos, who outscored the Bruins 21–0 in the final frame. New Mexico gashed UCLA’s defense on the ground, racking up 298 rushing yards and controlling the pace throughout.
The Bruins’ second-half possessions told the story: two punts, a field goal, a turnover on downs, and an interception with under four minutes to play that effectively ended the game.
It’s now panic time in Pasadena. UCLA has allowed 30 or more points in all three losses this season and is giving up 244 rushing yards per game — a stat that spells trouble with Big Ten play on the horizon.
The Bruins are off in Week 4 before traveling to Northwestern. But with No. 2 Penn State and Michigan State looming after that, an 0-6 start is suddenly a real possibility.
For Iamaleava and head coach DeShaun Foster, things will have to change — fast — or 2025 could become a very long debut season in the Big Ten.
