Saturday, October 18
Pasadena, CA
4:00 PM (PT)
UCLA
3-4 , 3-1
20
vs
17
Maryland
4-3 , 1-3
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Maryland
0
3
7
7
17
UCLA
0
7
0
13
20
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
Photo by: Scott Chandler
UCLA Earns Late Victory Over Maryland, 20-17
October 18, 2025 | Football
PASADENA, Calif. – Mateen Bhaghani drilled a game-winning 24-yard field goal to lift the UCLA football team to the 20-17 win over Maryland on Homecoming Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
UCLA took over on the 27-yard line with just 40 seconds remaining and quarterback Nico Iamaleava immediately went to work, connecting with Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for back-to-back completions amounting to 33 yards. Anthony Frias II then did the rest on the ground, scampering 35 yards to the Maryland 5-yard line to set up the game-winning kick for Bhaghani.
The Bruins (3-4, 3-1 Big Ten) have now won three consecutive contests.
"In tough games, you are going to need everybody," said interim head coach Tim Skipper. "We preach all the time, you never know when your moment is going to happen. You just keep working hard, you keep executing, keep sawing wood, and when your opportunity comes, you take full opportunity of that. It was a whole team effort, and you can name a lot of people that contributed to this thing."
Bhaghani's kick in the final seconds marked the second game-winning field goal of his career, both coming as a Bruin (at Hawai'i in Week 1 2024).
Iamaleava completed 21 of 35 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Frias II led the Bruins with 97 rushing yards and a touchdown on just four carries. Jalen Berger also registered 65 rushing yards on his 19 touches.
Maryland quarterback Malik Washington compiled 210 yards through the air, completing 23 of his 48 pass attempts for one touchdown and one interception. Washington was also the leading rusher for the Terrapins, posting 67 rushing yards on six attempts.
Mokiao-Atimalala was UCLA's leading receiver, hauling in six catches for 102 yards. Kwazi Gilmer also recorded 56 receiving yards on four receptions.
UCLA fielded the opening kickoff, but saw its drives stall on each of its first two possessions. The Bruins successfully flipped the field on both occasions, however, as punter Will Karoll pinned the Terrapins inside their own 10-yard line with each of his first two kicks.
Maryland struck first after Sean O'Haire knocked a 24-yard field goal through the uprights early in the second quarter. The Terrapins mounted a 17-play, 88-yard drive that eventually came to an end following an excellent defensive stand from UCLA inside its own five-yard line.
The Bruins immediately answered when Frias II raced for a 55-yard rushing touchdown to give his team the lead with 12:07 remaining in the half. This was UCLA's most explosive play from scrimmage this season and Frias II's first touchdown in the Blue and Gold.
UCLA's defense came up with a takeaway when Isaiah Chisom forced Maryland's DeJuan Williams to fumble and JonJon Vaughns quickly pounced on the loose ball. Despite the advanced field position, the Bruins were unable to capitalize as Iamaleava's pass was intercepted at the Maryland 8-yard line.
UCLA led Maryland by a 7-3 tally at halftime.
After both teams punted on their first two possessions of the second half, Maryland marched to the UCLA 2-yard line, but the Bruins' defense held strong once again when Andre Jordan Jr. broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone to force a turnover on downs.
However, on UCLA's very next snap, Iamaleava's pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Jamare Glasker, giving Maryland a 10-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bruins nearly pulled even when Iamaleava connected on three passes to move the offense to Maryland's 38-yard line. UCLA opted for a 56-yard field goal attempt, but Bhaghani's kick sailed just wide of the upright.
With 5:39 remaining, UCLA regained possession and Iamaleava delivered under pressure, engineering an 8-play, 88-yard touchdown drive. He completed four passes on the march, including a 14-yard dart to Mikey Matthews in the end zone to reclaim the lead.
Moments later, Scooter Jackson snagged an interception off a tipped pass deep in Maryland territory, setting up Bhaghani's 42-yard field goal just before the two-minute timeout.
The visitors responded with poise, stringing together a 9-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game at 17-17 with just 40 seconds left on the clock.
The Bruins will travel to No. 3 Indiana for its next contest on Saturday, Oct. 25. UCLA's next home game will take place against Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 8.
UCLA took over on the 27-yard line with just 40 seconds remaining and quarterback Nico Iamaleava immediately went to work, connecting with Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for back-to-back completions amounting to 33 yards. Anthony Frias II then did the rest on the ground, scampering 35 yards to the Maryland 5-yard line to set up the game-winning kick for Bhaghani.
The Bruins (3-4, 3-1 Big Ten) have now won three consecutive contests.
"In tough games, you are going to need everybody," said interim head coach Tim Skipper. "We preach all the time, you never know when your moment is going to happen. You just keep working hard, you keep executing, keep sawing wood, and when your opportunity comes, you take full opportunity of that. It was a whole team effort, and you can name a lot of people that contributed to this thing."
Bhaghani's kick in the final seconds marked the second game-winning field goal of his career, both coming as a Bruin (at Hawai'i in Week 1 2024).
Iamaleava completed 21 of 35 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Frias II led the Bruins with 97 rushing yards and a touchdown on just four carries. Jalen Berger also registered 65 rushing yards on his 19 touches.
Maryland quarterback Malik Washington compiled 210 yards through the air, completing 23 of his 48 pass attempts for one touchdown and one interception. Washington was also the leading rusher for the Terrapins, posting 67 rushing yards on six attempts.
Mokiao-Atimalala was UCLA's leading receiver, hauling in six catches for 102 yards. Kwazi Gilmer also recorded 56 receiving yards on four receptions.
UCLA fielded the opening kickoff, but saw its drives stall on each of its first two possessions. The Bruins successfully flipped the field on both occasions, however, as punter Will Karoll pinned the Terrapins inside their own 10-yard line with each of his first two kicks.
Maryland struck first after Sean O'Haire knocked a 24-yard field goal through the uprights early in the second quarter. The Terrapins mounted a 17-play, 88-yard drive that eventually came to an end following an excellent defensive stand from UCLA inside its own five-yard line.
The Bruins immediately answered when Frias II raced for a 55-yard rushing touchdown to give his team the lead with 12:07 remaining in the half. This was UCLA's most explosive play from scrimmage this season and Frias II's first touchdown in the Blue and Gold.
UCLA's defense came up with a takeaway when Isaiah Chisom forced Maryland's DeJuan Williams to fumble and JonJon Vaughns quickly pounced on the loose ball. Despite the advanced field position, the Bruins were unable to capitalize as Iamaleava's pass was intercepted at the Maryland 8-yard line.
UCLA led Maryland by a 7-3 tally at halftime.
After both teams punted on their first two possessions of the second half, Maryland marched to the UCLA 2-yard line, but the Bruins' defense held strong once again when Andre Jordan Jr. broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone to force a turnover on downs.
However, on UCLA's very next snap, Iamaleava's pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Jamare Glasker, giving Maryland a 10-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bruins nearly pulled even when Iamaleava connected on three passes to move the offense to Maryland's 38-yard line. UCLA opted for a 56-yard field goal attempt, but Bhaghani's kick sailed just wide of the upright.
With 5:39 remaining, UCLA regained possession and Iamaleava delivered under pressure, engineering an 8-play, 88-yard touchdown drive. He completed four passes on the march, including a 14-yard dart to Mikey Matthews in the end zone to reclaim the lead.
Moments later, Scooter Jackson snagged an interception off a tipped pass deep in Maryland territory, setting up Bhaghani's 42-yard field goal just before the two-minute timeout.
The visitors responded with poise, stringing together a 9-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game at 17-17 with just 40 seconds left on the clock.
The Bruins will travel to No. 3 Indiana for its next contest on Saturday, Oct. 25. UCLA's next home game will take place against Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Team Stats
UMD
UCL
Total Yards
337
414
Pass Yards
210
221
Rushing Yards
127
193
Penalty Yards
60
85
1st Downs
17
21
3rd Downs
6
7
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
27:00
33:00
2nd Quarter
UMD 3, UCL 0
UMD - O'Haire,Sean 24 yd field goal 17 plays, 88 yards, TOP 08:09
UMD 3, UCL 7
UCL - Frias II,Anthony 55 yd run (Bhaghani,Mateen kick), 4 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:03
3rd Quarter
UMD 10, UCL 7
UMD - Glasker,Jamare 8 yd interception (Capriotti,Ryan kick)
4th Quarter
UMD 10, UCL 14
UCL - Matthews,Mikey 14 yd pass from Iamaleava,Nico (Bhaghani,Mateen kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:06
UMD 10, UCL 17
UCL - Bhaghani,Mateen 42 yd field goal 4 plays, -4 yards, TOP 00:52
UMD 17, UCL 17
UMD - Farooq,Jalil 8 yd pass from Washington,Malik (Capriotti,Ryan kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:24
UMD 17, UCL 20
UCL - Bhaghani,Mateen 23 yd field goal 5 plays, 68 yards, TOP 00:33
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
21
TD
1
YDS
221
INT
2
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
K
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballQB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
P
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ FootballHighlights - UCLA Football vs. Maryland (Oct. 18, 2025)
Sunday, October 19
UCLA Football Postgame - vs. Maryland (Oct. 18, 2025)
Sunday, October 19
Bruin Insider Show - Tim Skipper (Oct. 16, 2025)
Thursday, October 16
Coach Skipper Interview on B1G Today (Oct. 16, 2025)
Thursday, October 16