The Bob Chesney Era is off and running for the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins outlasted the Cal Bears Saturday night, picking up a 45-24 victory to move to 1-0 on the 2026 season.
UCLA's defense took over late
It was a hard-fought win to begin Chesney’s tenure, as Cal and quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele battled late into Saturday night but UCLA’s defense got three turnovers and three sacks in the win.
The ground game was alive and well for the Bruins
The UCLA offense shined too. Aside from a red zone interception by Nico Iamaleava, Dean Kennedy’s offense shined. UCLA rushed for 279 yards with James Madison transfer Wayne Knight looking like a star, and finding the end zone three times in his UCLA debut.
Not to overreact but UCLA is winning the natty and Wayne Knight winning heisman
— Anthony Barr (@AnthonyBarr) September 6, 2026
It was a balanced rushing attack, with the Bruins’
offensive line winning up front, creating holes on the ground for Knight, Anthony Woods, Jaivian Thomas and Iamaleava on the ground. While Knight found the end zone three times, Woods scored twice and totaled 118 yards on only eight carries. As a team, UCLA averaged 9.0 yards per carry.
.@Anthony5k_ stays on his feet!
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) September 6, 2026
📺: @espn
📲: https://t.co/OvYUgfpXpI pic.twitter.com/gn60rcN1nZ
Cal kept things close heading into halftime
UCLA left meat on the bone late in the first half, as an Iamaleava interception led to a Cal touchdown but that didn’t instill fear in the offense, as Iamaleava found Matthews for a deep pass to set up a last-second field goal to give the Bruins a 24-17 halftime lead.
Two-time Ta'Shawn shifted momentum
Cal won the third quarter, shutting out the UCLA offense and tying the game but a pair of second half Ta’Shawn James interceptions gave the Bruins the added opportunities to give UCLA a 38-24 lead.
Nico Iamaleava leaves with injury, returns late
The bad news for the Bruins is that Iamaleava left the game in the fourth quarter but was able to return later in the quarter. Iamaleava suffered a lower-leg injury and was replaced by his younger brother, Madden Iamaleava, who did not attempt a pass in his relief performance.
Fourth quarter domination by the Bruins
UCLA outscored Cal 21-0 in the fourth quarter, taking over the game at the line of scrimmage. It wasn’t always perfect for the Bruins on Saturday, but it was a terrific first chapter for the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Bruins in the win column: UCLA opens the year with 45-24 win over Cal
