Roman Hemby’s two-touchdown performance helped Indiana dominate UCLA, ending the Bruins’ three-game win streak. The Hoosiers’ defense impressed in the outing, shutting down UCLA’s explosive Nico Iamaleava-led offense.
UCLA (3-5, 3-2 Big Ten) took the road to Bloomington to face No. 2 Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten), where they suffered a demoralizing 56-6 loss. The matchup, a 9 a.m. national broadcast and BIG Ten Kickoff game, featured UCLA trying to extend its three-game win streak and pull off its second incredible upset after its win against Penn State. Favored by 27.5 points, Indiana dominated, with Hemby amassing 81 yards and two touchdowns and Fernando Mendoza boosting his Heisman consideration, leaving UCLA overwhelmed on both sides of the ball.
UCLA struggled as soon as the game began, with Iamaleava throwing an interception to Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher on the first drive of the game. Fisher returned the interception 25 yards for the touchdown, and the extra point was converted as Indiana took an early 7-0 lead. Scooter Jackson intercepted a pass by Fernando Mendoza, giving UCLA a chance to even the score; however, their offense stalled out. Later in the first quarter, Indiana would go for it on 4th down and convert with running back Hemby rushing for the one-yard touchdown, taking a two-touchdown lead 14-0.
To start the second quarter, Fernando Mendoza found Elijah Sarratt for the one-yard touchdown, increasing the lead to 21-0. Moments later, UCLA running back Jalen Burger would then fumble, setting up Indiana for another score, as Hemby ran for the 20-yard touchdown. UCLA would eventually get on the board with a 44-yard field goal kicked by Mateen Bhaghani, making the score 28-3. With less than two minutes left, Indiana drives down the field and connects with E.J. Williams Jr. for the 2-yard touchdown to pile on UCLA, putting them behind 35-3. UCLA entered halftime overwhelmed: unable to slow Indiana’s offense, feeling the pressure of the Hoosiers’ defensive front and giving the Hoosiers multiple breaks with penalties.
Indiana came out in the second half, booming with Fernando Mendoza rushing for a 20-yard scramble touchdown and Williams Jr. catching a 62-yard touchdown on back-to-back drives, adding to the already one-sided score, making it 49-3. UCLA responded with an efficient drive built on strong passes and a long run from Iamaleava, setting up the Bhaghani field goal, pushing the lead to 49-6. In the fourth quarter, Indiana put in backup QB Alberto Mendoza, Fernando Mendoza’s little brother, and on his first drive, he took Indiana down the field and scored on a read-option, enlarging the score to 56-6. With 10:24 remaining in the fourth quarter, Iamaleava threw his second interception, forcing the ball into double coverage, picked off this time by Devan Boykin.
UCLA was overrun by Indiana, unable to stop either the run or the pass, largely due to their inability to make tackles in the open field or generate pressure on Indiana’s QBs. On offense, Iamaleava struggled, throwing two interceptions, and the pressure from Indiana’s defensive line, combined with outstanding coverage from the Hoosiers’ secondary, stifled the passing attack and running game from UCLA. Penalties compounded the problem with UCLA having eight penalties for 82 yards, extending drives for Indiana and killing UCLA’s offensive drives.
UCLA looks to bounce back against Nebraska (5-2, 2-2) at home, a matchup that should be much easier for the Bruins, with Iamaleava looking to rebound from his two-interception performance against Indiana, who arguably has the best defense in the country. The Bruins will need to have the Rose Bowl packed if they are to pull off a win against the Cornhuskers and snap back from this loss against Indiana.
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Featured Image Photographed by Aamani Maddukuri/BruinLife Archives
