UCLA Football Drops to 0-3 After 35-10 Loss to New Mexico at Rose Bowl

UCLA's football team suffered a significant 35-10 loss to New Mexico, dropping to 0-3 for the season before beginning Big Ten play. The Bruins struggled defensively, allowing 298 rushing yards and a total of 450 yards against New Mexico's effective ground game, led by Damon Bankston's 154 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee, completed 22-of-34 passes for 217 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but the offense faltered after halftime, and the team was hampered by 13 penalties totaling 116 yards. New Mexico, considered a 15.5-point underdog, capitalized on UCLA's mistakes and pulled away decisively in the fourth quarter with three consecutive touchdowns. Notably, UCLA reportedly paid New Mexico $1.2 million for this matchup, roughly equivalent to Iamaleava's NIL earnings for the season. Head coach DeShaun Foster emphasized the need to build chemistry and get more reps with wide receivers to improve consistency moving forward.