The UCLA vs California matchup delivered an entertaining Week 1 battle at California Memorial Stadium, but the Bruins pulled away late to defeat the Golden Bears 45-24 on Saturday night.
The UCLA vs Cal game featured plenty of offensive fireworks, with UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava helping spark the Bruins early and running back Wayne Knight producing three touchdowns in his UCLA debut. Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele also showed flashes, but two costly interceptions in the fourth quarter changed the game.
UCLA vs Cal Score
The final UCLA vs Cal score was UCLA 45, California 24.
The Golden Bears opened the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Sagapolutele to Chase Hendricks. UCLA answered when Iamaleava scored on a nine-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game.
From there, the UCLA football offense gradually established control. Anthony Woods broke loose for a 31-yard touchdown run, while Knight added his first touchdown to give the Bruins a 21-10 advantage.
Cal responded before halftime, cutting the deficit to 24-17. The Golden Bears evened the game at 24-24 during the third quarter, setting up a dramatic finish.
Wayne Knight Leads UCLA’s Offensive Surge
One of the biggest stories from UCLA vs Cal football was the performance of Wayne Knight.
The transfer running back, who followed Bob Chesney from James Madison, scored three touchdowns in his Bruins debut. His ability to create explosive runs helped UCLA dominate the ground game, particularly as the contest moved into the second half.
Knight’s second touchdown came on a 31-yard run in the fourth quarter, putting UCLA back in front 31-24. He later added another touchdown to extend the lead to 38-24.
Anthony Woods also delivered an important performance, finishing the game with two rushing touchdowns. His late 53-yard touchdown run effectively ended Cal’s comeback hopes.
Nico Iamaleava Makes an Impact
Nico Iamaleava was another major factor in the UCLA vs California matchup.
The UCLA quarterback contributed with both his arm and his legs. His nine-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter helped the Bruins answer Cal’s opening score, while his passing ability created several explosive plays.
Iamaleava connected with Mikey Matthews on a 33-yard completion during the second quarter and helped UCLA consistently generate big plays.
There was some concern late in the game when Iamaleava entered the medical tent after appearing to limp. His brother Madden Iamaleava temporarily entered at quarterback, but Nico eventually returned to finish the game.
Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Shows Promise
For California football, quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was one of the biggest positives despite the loss.
The Cal QB opened the game impressively, completing five of six passes for 58 yards on Cal’s first 75-yard touchdown drive. He continued making big throws throughout the first half.
Sagapolutele helped Cal produce an 87-yard touchdown drive in just 38 seconds before halftime, finding Ian Strong for a 49-yard completion before connecting with Chase Hendricks for another big gain. He eventually found Mason Mini for the touchdown.
However, the second half became much more difficult.
Sagapolutele threw interceptions to UCLA defensive back Ta’Shawn James on back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter. The second interception was particularly costly because UCLA immediately converted the turnover into a touchdown.
UCLA vs Cal: The Turning Point
The key moment in the Cal vs UCLA matchup came late in the fourth quarter.
With the score tied 24-24, Ta’Shawn James intercepted Sagapolutele with fewer than nine minutes remaining. UCLA quickly turned the takeaway into points when Knight broke through for a 31-yard touchdown run.
That sequence shifted the momentum completely.
Knight scored again shortly afterward, and Woods delivered a 53-yard touchdown with 1:17 remaining. What had been a competitive game suddenly became a 21-point UCLA victory.
Ground Game Gives UCLA the Edge
The biggest statistical difference in the first half was the rushing attack.
UCLA entered halftime with 123 rushing yards compared with only 32 for Cal. The Bruins were able to combine their running game with Iamaleava’s passing ability, making it difficult for the Golden Bears to consistently slow the offense.
Cal generated much of its early offensive production through the air. That imbalance became increasingly important as UCLA’s running backs found more room late in the game.
Tosh Lupoi’s Cal Debut
The Cal vs UCLA football game also marked the beginning of the Tosh Lupoi era in Berkeley.
Lupoi’s Golden Bears showed offensive potential early, particularly through Sagapolutele and the passing attack. However, UCLA’s ability to create explosive rushing plays ultimately proved too much.
Although Cal suffered a 45-24 defeat, the performance provided some encouraging signs for Cal football, particularly from its young quarterback.
UCLA vs Cal Prediction: What Happened?
Pre-game UCLA vs Cal prediction discussions viewed the matchup as a close contest.
One prediction had Cal winning 24-23 because of home-field advantage, while another projected UCLA to win 27-24 behind its improved defense and new playmakers.
The actual UCLA vs Cal score was considerably more decisive: UCLA won 45-24.
The Bruins’ rushing attack and their ability to capitalize on turnovers were the major differences. Cal stayed within striking distance for three quarters, but UCLA’s fourth-quarter scoring burst produced the final separation.
UCLA Game and Cal Game Takeaways
The UCLA game provided an impressive first victory for Bob Chesney, while the Cal game showed that the Golden Bears can compete offensively but must improve their ability to protect the football.
For UCLA, Knight’s debut, Woods’ rushing production and Iamaleava’s playmaking ability are encouraging signs.
For California, Sagapolutele’s early performance offers plenty to build around. But the two interceptions in the fourth quarter turned a tied game into a runaway UCLA victory.
Final UCLA vs Cal Score
The final result was:
UCLA 45, Cal 24
The Bruins overcame an early challenge from the Golden Bears and finished the night with a dominant fourth quarter. UCLA vs Cal once again produced an entertaining college football matchup, with UCLA leaving Berkeley with its first win of the 2026 season.
Final: UCLA 45-24 California
Venue: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley
Result: UCLA wins
Key UCLA performers: Nico Iamaleava, Wayne Knight, Anthony Woods
Key Cal performer: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele
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