HONOLULU – In an exhilarating season opener, UCLA’s sophomore kicker Mateen Bhaghani secured a thrilling win for the Bruins with a game-winning 32-yard field goal, breaking a 13-13 tie with just 56 seconds remaining in the game. The final score at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex was 16-13 in favor of the visiting Bruins.
The Bruins (1-0) faced an uphill battle, trailing 10-0 at halftime before mounting a comeback that showcased their resilience and determination. First-year head coach DeShaun Foster, who starred as a running back for UCLA from 1998-2001, celebrated his inaugural victory as head coach after a hard-fought contest.
Despite being outperformed in the initial stages of the game, the Bruins rallied in the second half, thanks in part to Bhaghani’s stellar kicking performance. He was perfect on all three field goal attempts, converting from distances of 22 yards in the third quarter, and followed with 37 and 32 yards in the crucial final moments. His decisive kick marked UCLA’s first game-winning drive since the end of the 2022 regular season.
“We didn’t really start the first half the way that we wanted to, but I was just glad with the way that they came out in the second half,” Foster said postgame. “We came out and executed. It was about us more than exactly what they were doing to us. I just liked that my guys came out and fought hard. We continued to play and we were able to get the victory.”
UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers delivered a mixed performance, completing 19 of 38 passes for 272 yards while throwing one touchdown and two interceptions. In addition to his passing efforts, Garbers scrambled for 47 net rushing yards, including a game-high 16-yard run.
For Hawai’i (1-1), quarterback Brayden Schager threw for 227 yards, completing 25 of 42 attempts with one touchdown and two interceptions. Schager connected frequently with Pofele Ashlock, who caught nine passes for 112 yards.
The explosive play of the game came from UCLA wide receiver Rico Flores Jr., who led the Bruins with three receptions totaling 102 yards. His standout moment was an impressive 53-yard touchdown catch from Garbers early in the third quarter, marking Flores Jr.’s second career touchdown reception and his first as a Bruin.
The game-winning drive for UCLA was highlighted by key catches from tight ends Moliki Matavao and Bryce Pierre, which advanced the Bruins to the Hawai’i 14-yard line. It set the stage for Bhaghani’s clutch 32-yard field goal, sealing the game for the Bruins.
After a lackluster first half, the Bruins displayed their fighting spirit by scoring with 8:41 left in the third quarter. Garbers connected with Flores Jr. for a 39-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the gap to 10-7. Hawai’i then extended its lead to 13-7, as Kansei Matsuzawa booted a 28-yard field goal with 4:12 remaining in the third quarter.
Undeterred, the Bruins fought back with Bhaghani’s second field goal, a 22-yarder, late in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to just three points at 13-10. The drive leading to Bhaghani’s field goal was energized by Flores Jr.’s remarkable 53-yard catch on a crucial third-and-12 play.
Hawai’i’s strong start to the game had placed the Bruins in a challenging position. The Rainbow Warriors took an early 10-0 lead with a series of strategic plays, including a successful fake punt in the first quarter that culminated in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Schager to Ashlock. The momentum swung further in Hawai’i’s favor when they capitalized on an interception just before halftime to score a 28-yard field goal, taking a commanding lead into the break.
With Saturday’s win, UCLA marked its first victory in a season opener on the road since the COVID-19 pandemic altered schedules in 2020. This triumph also represented UCLA’s first season-opening road win since defeating No. 7-ranked Virginia on August 30, 2014.
Looking ahead, UCLA is set to make history by playing its first-ever Big Ten Conference game against Indiana on Saturday, September 14. The game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (PT) and will be nationally televised on NBC and streamed on PeacockTV.com.
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