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UCLA Hosts Maryland for Homecoming at Rose Bowl Amid Coaching Shakeup and Winning Streak

The Bruins enter Saturday’s game riding a two-game win streak and honoring the late Pasadena civic leader Nelson C. Rising

Published on Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 4:36 am
 

UCLA’s RB Jalen Berger in action against Michigan last week. [Isabella Serafini/UCLA]
UCLA will host Maryland at the Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Drive on Saturday, Oct. 18, for its Homecoming Game, with kickoff set for 4:05 p.m. Pacific Time. The Big Ten Conference matchup will air nationally on FS1 and locally on KABC-AM 790, the new exclusive home of UCLA Athletics.

The game marks the third all-time meeting between the Bruins (2-4, 2-1 Big Ten) and the Terrapins (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten). Interim head coach Tim Skipper leads UCLA after DeShaun Foster was relieved of his head coaching duties on Sept. 14. Skipper previously served as special assistant to Foster and brings head coaching experience from Fresno State, where he led the Bulldogs to a 2023 New Mexico Bowl victory and a 6-7 season in 2024.

UCLA enters Saturday’s contest riding a two-game win streak, including a 42-37 upset over No. 7 Penn State and a 38-13 road victory at Michigan State. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has accounted for eight touchdowns over those two games and earned multiple national honors for his performance against Penn State, including AP National Player of the Week, Maxwell Award Player of the Week, Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.

The Bruins have scored 80 points across their last two games, averaging 426.5 yards of total offense with no turnovers. UCLA has not surrendered a turnover in three straight games, its longest such streak since 2005. The team ranks third in the Big Ten and 18th nationally in red zone efficiency, scoring on 19 of 20 trips (.950), including eight passing touchdowns, five rushing touchdowns and six field goals.

Defensively, UCLA has more than tripled its tackle-for-loss output in recent weeks, recording 17.0 TFLs in games four to six compared to 5.0 in games one to three. The Bruins have also forced four fumbles and recovered two over the last two games.

Iamaleava has averaged 189.0 passing yards per game on 114-of-172 passing (66.3 percent) with nine touchdowns through six starts. He leads the team in rushing yards (335) and rushing touchdowns (four), and recorded a 52-yard run against Penn State — the longest of his career and UCLA’s season. In that game, he accounted for all five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) and tied a school record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, matching feats by Rick Bashore (1978), Gary Beban and John Sciarra.

Wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala has caught three touchdown passes this season, including one in each of the last two games. Kwazi Gilmer leads the team with 313 receiving yards and 26 catches, and has recorded a reception in 16 consecutive games. Running back Jalen Berger, in his return to Michigan State, scored three touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing) and rushed for 89 yards, becoming the first UCLA running back with multiple receiving TDs since 2020 and the first non-quarterback with three total TDs since 2023.

Linebackers JonJon Vaughns and Isaiah Chisom rank first and third in the Big Ten in tackles per game, averaging 9.7 and 9.0, respectively. Vaughns has posted four double-digit tackle games this season.

Saturday’s gameday festivities begin early, with parking lots opening at 10 a.m. General parking is $38 in advance or $43 on game day, and RV parking is located on West Drive (no overnight parking permitted). Additional parking is available at the Parsons complex at 100 W. Walnut Street in Pasadena for up to $24, with a free shuttle running continuously beginning three hours before kickoff.

The Area H Fan Zone opens from 11:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. outside Gates A and B, featuring food vendors, tailgating, exhibits, beer gardens and live music. Fans can also visit BruinFest, located near Gates E and N, beginning at 10 a.m. BruinFest includes inflatables, games, beer gardens and live performances. DJ Rent Free opens at 1:45 p.m., followed by headliner BUNT. at 2:30 p.m. The electronic artist, known for his hit “Clouds,” was named one of Spotify’s 10 Dance Artists to Watch and recently performed at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Fans seeking a premium tailgating experience can reserve full-service setups through REVELxp, which handles all logistics including catering and equipment.

At 2:00 p.m., fans are encouraged to line Rosemont Avenue for Bruin Walk, where the team will be welcomed by the UCLA Spirit Squad, Marching Band and Alumni Band as they enter the stadium through Gate A.

Rose Bowl gates open at 2:30 p.m. Pregame entertainment includes a joint performance by the Spirit Squad and Alumni Band in Area H, followed by a 3:15 p.m. Alumni Band set at the Court of Champions. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 3:30 p.m.

In-game entertainment includes reunions of UCLA’s 1976 and 1986 Rose Bowl teams between the first and second quarters. The Bruins defeated No. 1 Ohio State 23-10 in 1976 and No. 4 Iowa 45-28 in 1986. The Elegant Bruinettes and UCLA Dance Team will also perform during the game.

At halftime, the UCLA Alumni Band will be recognized for its 50th anniversary, followed by a performance of “Sons of Westwood” by the 250-member UCLA Marching Band.

Former UCLA linebacker Glenn Love (2007 to 2011) will serve as honorary captain. Love, who played in 48 games as a defensive back and linebacker, is the founder of the Love Life ALS Foundation, a nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by ALS.

UCLA will also honor the legacy of Nelson C. Rising, a former Bruin football player, Marine Corps Reserve veteran and civic leader, who passed away in 2023. Rising graduated from UCLA and UCLA Law School with honors and served on the UCLA Law Review. A longtime Pasadena resident, he was a founding member of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, which has raised more than $70 million. The stadium’s West Bridge will be named the “NELSON C. RISING LEGACY BRIDGE” in his honor.

Tickets are available at uclabruins.com/tickets. Fans should review the Rose Bowl’s clear bag policy, which permits clear bags up to 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches, small clutches and diaper bags (with infant present). Electronic screening is in place at all gates.

For updates and gameday information, follow @UCLAGameday on X.

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