Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Nico Iamaleava Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
October 06, 2025 | Football
ROSEMONT, Ill. โ Redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava on the UCLA football team was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Monday following a career performance in the Bruins' 42-37 victory over No. 7 Penn State.
ย
This marks the first conference offensive player of the week honor in Iamaleava's three-year career. He earned four SEC Freshman of the Week awards as a redshirt freshman last season. Iamaleava was also tabbed to the Davey O'Brien Award's Great 8 list and Manning Award "Stars of the Week" list for Week 6 earlier on Monday.
ย
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.
ย
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.
ย
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.
ย
Iamaleava was responsible for all six of UCLA's 20-plus-yard plays on Saturday (four rushes, two passes).
ย
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 clickย HEREย or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via emailย at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information on personalized ticket options.
Sign up for UCLA Athletics emailsย HEREย to stay up-to-date on inside information, ticket deals and more.
ย
ย
This marks the first conference offensive player of the week honor in Iamaleava's three-year career. He earned four SEC Freshman of the Week awards as a redshirt freshman last season. Iamaleava was also tabbed to the Davey O'Brien Award's Great 8 list and Manning Award "Stars of the Week" list for Week 6 earlier on Monday.
ย
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.
ย
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.
ย
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.
ย
Iamaleava was responsible for all six of UCLA's 20-plus-yard plays on Saturday (four rushes, two passes).
ย
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 clickย HEREย or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via emailย at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information on personalized ticket options.
Sign up for UCLA Athletics emailsย HEREย to stay up-to-date on inside information, ticket deals and more.
ย
Players Mentioned
UCLA Football Postgame - Players, at Michigan State (Oct. 11, 2025)
Saturday, October 11
UCLA Football Postgame - Players, at Michigan State (Oct. 11, 2025)
Saturday, October 11
UCLA Football Postgame - Coach Skipper, at Michigan State (Oct. 11, 2025)
Saturday, October 11
Highlights - UCLA Football at Michigan State (Oct. 11, 2025)
Saturday, October 11