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UCLA Turns Spring Showcase Into Rose Bowl Rehearsal as Team Blue Wins 24-17

Bob Chesney used the event to drill game-day details to signal a livelier tone for a rebuilt roster.

Overview

  • Team Blue beat Team White 24-17 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in Saturday’s spring game, capping a public scrimmage that replaced past low-key practices.
  • Chesney treated the day like a home-game run-through, putting players in a nearby hotel and walking the stadium under the lights the night before to test travel, timing, and communication for a roster with 56 newcomers.
  • Madden Iamaleava hit freshman Kenneth Moore III for the go-ahead 45-yard touchdown late, a redemption after Moore earlier collided with a referee on a deep ball that fell incomplete.
  • Nico Iamaleava flashed with a 47-yard flea-flicker completion and a short touchdown throw, while defenders Sammy Omosigho and Lucien Holland stood out with sacks and a forced fumble.
  • Chesney leaned into showmanship with trick plays and guest play-callers from other UCLA teams, and one report put the crowd at about 10,000 as he told fans, “We’re back, baby.”