Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava Earns AP National Recognition

Originally posted on UCLA Bruins on SI | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 4:55 PM ET

The UCLA Bruins (1-4, 1-1 Big Ten) achieved an impossible feat by upsetting No. 7 Penn State, 42-37, behind a stellar performance from redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Iamaleava's performance was widely regarded as one of the best of the week around college football, and it landed him the AP National Player of the Week.

Along with the AP award, Iamaleava was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, added to the Davey O'Brien Award's Great 8 list and put him in the running for the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week.

Nico's Big Week

It took a little longer than UCLA Bruins fans hoped, but Nico Iamaleava finally had a signature performance while donning the blue and gold.

The redshirt sophomore had one of the best games of his college football career, leading the Bruins to an improbable 42-37 win over No. 7 Penn State on Saturday, reminding everyone that he was under center for a College Football Playoff team just last season.

The Bruins looked like an entirely different team from start to finish, opening the game with an 11-yard touchdown pass, followed immediately by a surprise onside kick recovery.

Former UCLA tight ends coach Jerry Neuheisel was promoted to offensive play caller following the departure of offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, and the Bruins' offense became cerebral. UCLA went into halftime up 27-7 on the Nittany Lions.

Iamaleava had his "Welcome To Westwood" moment, finishing the game scoring five total touchdowns -- two passing and three rushing -- while throwing for 166 yards on 17-of-24 completions and rushing for 128 yards on 16 attempts.

Iamaleava's Week 6 Grade

The Bruins needed all of Iamaleava's 294 total yards and five total touchdowns. His 156.4 passer rating and 97.4 ESPN QBR were each of Iamaleava's highest ratings of the season.

If the Bruins can turn around the season, as steep a climb as it may be, not only will they look back at this win against one of the nation's top teams at the time, but they'll also coin Iamaleava's performance as the turning point.

Before this game, the highest grade we've given the Bruins' star quarterback was a B- for his second-half efforts against UNLV. Iamaleava exceeded even that half by far, for a sustained performance all game.

For Iamaleava's big game against Penn State, we give him an A-.

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

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