UCLA runs over Purdue 52-38 in high scoring Rose Bowl game

UCLA Bruins #9 Nico Iamaleava (QB) threw for 276-yards and 3 touchdowns against the Purdue Boilermakers’ defense at the Rose Bowl. This photo is by Michael Hadnot/TGSportstv1 September 19, 2026.

 PASADENA, CA – A new era of UCLA football is underway as the undefeated UCLA Bruins (3-0) outlasted the Purdue Boilermakers (1-2) in their first ever matchup as conference opponents, 52-38 at the Rose Bowl. 

“Obviously it was a battle not easy,” exclaimed UCLA coach Bob Chesney before he grabbed the microphone to start his post-game press conference. “I think that was a really good football team we just played and I think that quarterback was elite.”

Purdue was led by quarterback Ryan Browne who threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns, while Nico Iamaleva had a season high 276 passing yards and three touchdowns of his own for UCLA.

The Bruins also had 369 yards rushing led by star running back Wayne Knight who had 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns, bringing him to eight on the year, which leads the nation.

The Bruins were clicking on all cylinders early offensively scoring touchdowns on their first three drives of the game capped by a six-yard touchdown scamper by Knight with 4:34 left in the first quarter giving the Bruins a 21-7 lead.

The Purdue Boilermakers #2 Fame Ijeboi (RB) is running hard while trying to break free from being tackle by several UCLA Bruins’ defenders. This photo is by Michael Hadnot/TGSportstv1 September 19, 2026.

“Obviously an awful start,” said Purdue head coach Barry Odom. “We’ve just got to climb back in it one play at a time. We’re not covering very well, we’re not playing very well against the run on the perimeter.”

Odom’s team responded marching 75-yards down the field culminating with a two-yard touchdown by Purdue running back Fame Ijeboi cutting the lead to 21-14 with 14:35 left in the second quarter.

Purdue followed that up going the length of the field on a 96-yard drive finishing with Xavier Townsend catching his second touchdown of the game tying the game up at 21 all with 2:12 left in the half.

Not content to go in the half tied, the Bruins ran their two-minute offense driving the length of the field as Bruin kicker Mateen Bhaghani drilled a 34-yard field goal to take a 24-21 lead into halftime.

The battle went back-and-forth in the third quarter with both teams exchanging leads ending with Purdue kicker Jacobo Lozano drilling a 27-yard field goal cutting the Bruin lead to 38-31 entering the fourth quarter.

UCLA Bruins #9 Nico Iamaleava (QB) is rolling left out of the pocket looking for an open receiver against the Purdue Boilermakers’ secondary. This photo is by Michael Hadnot/TGSportstv1 September 19, 2026.

Despite 478 total yards entering the fourth quarter the Bruins decided to start the quarter with a 20-yard touchdown run straight up the gut of the Boilermaker defense. UCLA running back Jaivian Thomas sliced through on the opening player giving UCLA a 45-31 lead four seconds into the fourth quarter.

Ijeboi responded minutes later for Purdue taking a direct snap out of the wildcat formation to pound his way into the end zone cutting the lead down to a one-score game 45-37 with 12:38 left in the game.

Thankfully for the Bruins, Iamaleva psyched out the Boilermaker defense with a convincing play-action fake, tossing a six-yard pass to tight-end Landon Ellis giving the Bruins a 52-38 lead, which would end up being the final score.

Iamaleva battled hard for the win tonight. Despite a brilliant night for the Bruin offensive line opening up holes for the ground game, there were some lapses in protection, which led to the QB taking some unnecessary hits that would sideline him for a few plays during the game.

“I’m a little banged up,” said Iamaleava. “But that’s what tomorrow and next week is for.. to recover.”

After questions starting to surround the young Bruin quarterback after starting the first two games of the season with zero touchdowns and subpar passing yards, he rose to the occasion tonight showing everyone just how potent this Bruin team can be offensively win the passing game is hitting the way the run game has been all season.