Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Davey O’Brien, Manning Awards Recognize Nico Iamaleava
October 06, 2025 | Football
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava on the UCLA football team earned honors Monday from the Davey O'Brien Award and the Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, following a career performance in the Bruins' 42-37 victory over No. 7 Penn State.
Iamaleava was tabbed to the Davey O'Brien Award's Great 8 list for Week 6. The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week will be selected from the Great 8 list and announced Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT. The O'Brien honor is the second of Iamaleava's career (last: Dec. 2, 2024).
Iamaleava was also one of eight signal callers picked for the Manning Award "Stars of the Week." Fan voting is OPEN NOW to determine the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week. Voting closes Wednesday at 7 a.m. (PT).
Iamaleava accounted for a career-high five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) and 294 yards of total offense to help lead UCLA to its first top-10 victory since 2010. The Long Beach, Calif. native finished with career highs in rushing yards (128) and rushing touchdowns (3) in addition to a career-long 52-yard rush, which was UCLA's longest of the season. It marked the fourth time this season that Iamaleava was the Bruins' leading rusher. Iamaleava's 128 rushing yards are the most by a UCLA QB since Brett Hundley rushed for 131 yards versus Arizona in a 17-7 win on Nov. 1, 2014. He is the first UCLA QB to finish with 100-plus rushing yards in a game since Collin Schlee, who had 127 against Boise State in the 2023 LA Bowl.
Iamaleava's three rushing touchdowns tied a single-game record for a UCLA quarterback, marking just the fifth time in program history a Bruins QB accomplished that feat and first time since 1978 (Rick Bashore vs. Washington State). Former all-American QBs Gary Beban and John Sciarra (twice) also rushed for three TDs in a single game.
Through the air, Iamaleava completed 17 of 24 passes for 166 yards yards and two touchdowns. He had touchdown throws to wide receivers Kwazi Gilmer and Titus Mokiao-Atimalala in the first half, helping the Bruins to a 27-7 lead at the break. Iamaleava connected with Gilmer for a season-long 43-yard completion in the second quarter, which set up an Iamaleava scoring run.
Iamaleava was responsible for all six of UCLA's 20-plus-yard plays on Saturday (four rushes, two passes).
Tickets to Home Games at the Rose Bowl
Various ticket packages, including season, mini-plan and single-game tickets, for the Bruins' inaugural Big Ten season are now available. Fans can click HERE or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via email at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information on personalized ticket options.
Sign up for UCLA Athletics emails HERE to stay up-to-date on inside information, ticket deals and more.
About the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O'Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrienAward.com.
About the Manning Award
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004 to honor the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting. Since the Manning Award started recognizing Stars of the Week in 2011, 590 different quarterbacks from 137 schools have been recognized. Forty players have been honored so far in 2025.
Iamaleava was tabbed to the Davey O'Brien Award's Great 8 list for Week 6. The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week will be selected from the Great 8 list and announced Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT. The O'Brien honor is the second of Iamaleava's career (last: Dec. 2, 2024).
Iamaleava was also one of eight signal callers picked for the Manning Award "Stars of the Week." Fan voting is OPEN NOW to determine the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week. Voting closes Wednesday at 7 a.m. (PT).
Iamaleava accounted for a career-high five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) and 294 yards of total offense to help lead UCLA to its first top-10 victory since 2010. The Long Beach, Calif. native finished with career highs in rushing yards (128) and rushing touchdowns (3) in addition to a career-long 52-yard rush, which was UCLA's longest of the season. It marked the fourth time this season that Iamaleava was the Bruins' leading rusher. Iamaleava's 128 rushing yards are the most by a UCLA QB since Brett Hundley rushed for 131 yards versus Arizona in a 17-7 win on Nov. 1, 2014. He is the first UCLA QB to finish with 100-plus rushing yards in a game since Collin Schlee, who had 127 against Boise State in the 2023 LA Bowl.
Iamaleava's three rushing touchdowns tied a single-game record for a UCLA quarterback, marking just the fifth time in program history a Bruins QB accomplished that feat and first time since 1978 (Rick Bashore vs. Washington State). Former all-American QBs Gary Beban and John Sciarra (twice) also rushed for three TDs in a single game.
Through the air, Iamaleava completed 17 of 24 passes for 166 yards yards and two touchdowns. He had touchdown throws to wide receivers Kwazi Gilmer and Titus Mokiao-Atimalala in the first half, helping the Bruins to a 27-7 lead at the break. Iamaleava connected with Gilmer for a season-long 43-yard completion in the second quarter, which set up an Iamaleava scoring run.
Iamaleava was responsible for all six of UCLA's 20-plus-yard plays on Saturday (four rushes, two passes).
Tickets to Home Games at the Rose Bowl
Various ticket packages, including season, mini-plan and single-game tickets, for the Bruins' inaugural Big Ten season are now available. Fans can click HERE or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via email at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information on personalized ticket options.
Sign up for UCLA Athletics emails HERE to stay up-to-date on inside information, ticket deals and more.
About the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O'Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrienAward.com.
About the Manning Award
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004 to honor the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting. Since the Manning Award started recognizing Stars of the Week in 2011, 590 different quarterbacks from 137 schools have been recognized. Forty players have been honored so far in 2025.
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