Foster Impressed by This Iamaleava Trait During Loss

UCLA didn't have much positive coming out of its loss to Utah, but Foster was still impressed with his quarterback.

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Utah Utes safety Tao Johnson (5) moves in against UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava didn't have the best Bruins debut a talent like his could ask for, but there were still some positive flashes to come out of it.

Iamaleava finished the 43-10 loss to Utah completing just 11 of his 22 pass attempts for 136 yards and a touchdown. The redshirt sophomore perhaps did his best offensive work on the ground, rushing for 47 yards on 13 attempts. Many of his scrambles got the Bruins out of tough third-down situations.

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) throws against the Utah Utes during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

However, his passing left a lot to be desired. He was often over- and underthrowing wide-open receivers while they were in stride. His lone interception came when he missed the hands of wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer, and then fell right into the waiting hands of a Utah linebacker.

Bruins coach DeShaun Foster still has faith in his quarterback. In an appearance on the Bruin Insider Show, co-hosted by Nick Koop and Wayne Cook, he talked about what he saw in Iamaleava amidst all the pressure and scrambling he had to endure.

"This is an elite quarterback," Foster said. "He can do a lot. He can throw the ball, he can run the ball, he leads the guys, he's tough. He didn't slide one time, I would've preferred that a little bit. It just shows you the type of character that he has and he's a football player.

"We'll work on that part in this next phase. But the only thing I can say is that we're excited for this next opportunity. You will see that we're ready for it."

Iamaleava Harboring Blame For Brutal UCLA Loss

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) leaves the field following the loss aganst the Utah Utes at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

As a quarterback and leader of a team, it's not to blame yourself following a loss and performance like the one Iamaleava had against Utah.

But Foster came to his quarterback's defense, assuring him that it wasn't all on his shoulders.

"He's just a gamer," Foster said on how he's seen Iamaleava respond to his brutal performance against the Utes. "Nico's somebody that, as soon as he looked at me, he's like, 'It's on me,' and I had to let him know that it's not one-on-11. That's just the kind of competitor he is. He's going to take full responsibility and full blame for everything.

"But we've got to let him know that, 'You do have people here that are playing with you.' It's the ultimate team game and everybody has to do their part to get the victory."

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