UCLA faces Nevada to keep perfect season alive before Big Ten finale

UCLA football enters its final nonconference game of the season with a chance to extend its unbeaten run against Nevada. The No. 7 ranked Bruins host the Wolf Pack at the Rose Bowl at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. This matchup serves as the last tune-up before UCLA returns to Big Ten play for the remainder of the regular season.

The Bruins have posted a 7-0 record in their first year under head coach Bob Chesney. They aim to qualify for the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. Nevada, currently 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the Mountain West Conference, enters the contest as the underdog. The Wolf Pack have struggled at times this season, having lost three of their last four games.

Nevada head coach Jeff Choate acknowledged the difficulty of the task. He noted that UCLA is one of only three undefeated teams remaining at the top level of college football. Choate stated that the Bruins are a top-10 team that has beaten quality opponents rather than easy competition. He specifically praised the development of the roster under new leadership.

UCLA’s offensive strategy relies heavily on its ground attack. The team features a trio of running backs in Wayne Knight, Anthony Woods, and Jaivian Thomas. Together, they have rushed for 1,327 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Choate described the group as talented and complementary in their styles. Nevada’s rush defense allows an average of 166 yards per game, a vulnerability the Bruins hope to exploit.

Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach has started two games following the departure of Nico Iamaleava. He has managed the offense against strong defenses from Oregon, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. Chesney emphasized that the team performs best when playing complementary football. If the running game is effective, it should create more opportunities in the passing game for Dieffenbach.

On defense, UCLA has limited opponents to just 131 rushing yards per game in nonconference play. Senior linebacker Sammy Omosigho is a key contributor, ranking second on the team with 53 tackles. He has also recorded five sacks and five forced fumbles. The defense must contain Nevada’s versatile offense, which relies on power reads and dual-threat quarterbacks.

Nevada has used three different quarterbacks in games this season. Luke Duncan, a transfer from UCLA, directed the offense in a 15-point win over San Jose State on October 24. Chesney said the Bruins have prepared distinct game plans for each potential starter. The focus will be on adjusting to whether the quarterback is a runner or a pocket passer. This preparation is critical as UCLA looks to maintain its perfect record before traveling to Minnesota and Michigan.