UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava Lands on Two Week 6 Honor Lists

The Bruins quarterback is in the running for multiple Week 6 awards.

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

The UCLA Bruins (1-4, 1-1 Big Ten) were one of the biggest winners of the college football week for their stunning 42-37 win over No. 7 Penn State behind a stellar Nico Iamaleava performance.

The redshirt sophomore's performance led to a plethora of Week 6 awards, including being named to the Davey O'Brien Award's Great 8 list and the Manning Award "Stars of the Week" list.

The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week is being named on Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT. Voting for the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week closes on Wednesday at 7 a.m. PT. You can vote for Iamaleava here.

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

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

Iamaleava 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.

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) throws a pass as Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Dominic Deluca (0) pressures him during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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.

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) scores a touchdown on 1 yard run during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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-.

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