UCLA rolls past Maryland 54-3 as defense returns two interceptions for scores

UCLA turned a scoreless first quarter at Maryland into a 54-3 Big Ten rout Saturday, using four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns to break the game open. The Bruins scored 20 points in the second quarter, 14 in the third and 20 in the fourth. Maryland’s only points came on Sean O’Haire’s 37-yard field goal before halftime.

Wayne Knight started the scoring with a 45-yard run early in the second quarter. Anthony Woods added a one-yard rushing touchdown, and Jaivian Thomas scored from three yards out. The two-point attempt after Thomas’s run failed, leaving UCLA ahead 20-0. O’Haire’s field goal with 1:23 left made the halftime score 20-3, but Maryland did not score again.

The third quarter was defined by UCLA’s defense. Ta’Shawn James returned a Malik Washington interception 39 yards for a touchdown at 11:20. Just over three minutes later, Scooter Jackson returned another Washington pass 65 yards for a score. Those two plays turned a 17-point halftime margin into a 34-3 lead without the Bruins’ offense needing to finish a drive.

UCLA added a 40-yard Mateen Bhaghani field goal at the start of the fourth. Nico Iamaleava then found Aidan Mizell for an 83-yard touchdown, the longest scoring play of the game. Bhaghani made another field goal from 37 yards, and Troy Leigber’s 63-yard run with 4:09 left set the final margin. UCLA’s offense supplied four rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown, while the defense added the two interception returns.

Iamaleava completed 15 of 24 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Knight ran 10 times for 100 yards, and Leigber added 83 yards on five carries. UCLA finished with 475 yards: 266 rushing and 209 passing. The Bruins converted only two of 10 third downs, but their long runs, two return touchdowns and Maryland’s turnovers created repeated short routes to points.

Maryland finished with 181 total yards and converted one of 15 third downs. Washington completed 18 of 38 passes for 142 yards and four interceptions. The Terrapins also lost a fumble, making five turnovers in all. UCLA turned the ball over twice on lost fumbles, but Maryland could not turn either takeaway into a touchdown. Chris Durr Jr. led Maryland with seven catches for 56 yards; Iverson Howard had 34 rushing yards.

The win moved UCLA to 4-0 after it entered the trip unbeaten and seeking its first 4-0 start since 2022. Maryland, which hosted its Big Ten opener at SECU Stadium, fell to 2-2. The score was a sharp change from last season’s UCLA–Maryland meeting, which the Bruins won 20-17 on a late field goal; Saturday’s game was settled by the third-quarter returns and UCLA’s explosive fourth-quarter offense.