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Oct 25, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) runs with the ball against Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman Stephen Daley (8) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Grading Nico Iamaleava's Week 9 UCLA Performance

Originally posted on UCLA Bruins on SI | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 6:00 AM ET

The UCLA Bruins (3-5, 3-2 Big Ten) had their storybook three-week turnaround come to an abrupt end on Saturday, losing 56-6 to the No. 2-ranked Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington.

The Bruins were simply outplayed, outcoached and outmatched against Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) on FOX's Big Noon Kickoff. It started on the first drive when UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw his first interception within a minute of the game to Aiden Fisher, who returned it for a touchdown.

Iamaleava couldn't get anything going. He finished the game 13-of-27 (48%) passing for 113 yards and two interceptions. On the ground, the redshirt sophomore got out for 28 yards on seven scrambles. Iamaleava was sacked three times.

Indiana quarterback, Heisman hopeful Fernando Mendoza, had a stellar outing, finishing with 168 passing yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-22 passing, adding 45 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Mendoza threw an early-game interception, but finished with four total touchdowns for the fifth time this season.

Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

UCLA struggled to get anything going against an overwhelming Indiana defense, including establishing the run game. With Anthony Woods out, the Bruins were already shorthanded in the backfield and finished with just 88 rushing yards on 25 carries, good for an average of just 3.9 yards per rush.

Nico Iamaleava's Week 9 Grade

Saturday was Iamaleava's worst game as a Bruin by far. His 113 passing yards, 48.1% completion percentage, zero touchdowns, 68.5 passer rating and 18.4 ESPN QBR were his lowest figures of the season. His 13 completions were second to his 11 against Utah to open the season.

Rich Janzaruk/Herald-TImes / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Iamaleava had at least one touchdown in every game this season until Saturday against the Hoosiers. The redshirt sophomore now has consecutive two-interception games and is looking like the Iamaleava of the early season, but is it entirely his fault?

Jerry Neuheisel assumed much of the national credit for UCLA's turnaround after his offensive play-calling debut against Penn State. He followed it up by dropping 38 on Michigan State.

Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since then, the Bruins have averaged 11.5 points per game. Saturday against the Hoosiers, UCLA averaged 3.5 yards per rush and just 4.0 yards per pass.

I'm afraid to say it, but as the Bruins' defense has risen over the past few weeks, the offense has fallen off a cliff.

UCLA's overall offensive output has been concerning over the last two weeks, but that includes Iamaleava. For his outing against Indiana, we give him a D this week.

This article first appeared on UCLA Bruins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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