SPRING GAME RECAP: Blue Team Edges White 24-17 in UCLA’s First Spring Game Under Chesney

PASADENA, CA – The Blue Team rallied from behind to defeat the White Team 24-17 Saturday afternoon in UCLA football’s 2026 spring game at the Rose Bowl Stadium. In new head coach Bob Chesney’s first public showcase of the Bruins, fans got an energetic first look at the program as it builds toward the Big Ten season.

The contest, played under typical spring scrimmage rules with limited contact, featured back-and-forth action and plenty of big plays from both sides of the ball. Quarterbacks from the Iamaleava family squared off, with backup Madden Iamaleava leading the Blue offense against older brother Nico on the White side. The Blue Team’s defense, highlighted by physical play from the linebacker group, stood out throughout the afternoon.

White grabbed the early advantage, but Blue responded strongly in the second half. Madden Iamaleava connected with JMU transfer wide receiver Landon Ellis on an 8-yard touchdown strike before delivering the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter — a 45-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Kenneth Moore III that gave Blue its first lead of the day at 24-17. Nico Iamaleava added flair for White earlier with a 37-yard flea-flicker, keeping the game competitive until the final moments.

The White Team had one last chance late, but backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach’s fourth-and-goal pass from the 2-yard line sailed incomplete as time expired, sealing the Blue victory. Head coach Bob Chesney praised the physicality shown by his linebackers — including standout Sam Omosigho — and the overall competitiveness displayed by the entire roster.

A solid crowd of approximately 10,000-12,000 fans filled sections of the historic Rose Bowl despite a reported USC prank flooding RSVPs, creating an electric atmosphere for the free-admission event that doubled as a Cinco de Mayo celebration. No major injuries were reported, allowing the Bruins to wrap up spring practices on a positive note with several high school recruits committing on site.

Chesney expressed satisfaction with the day’s work, calling it a valuable step in the program’s rebuild. With the foundation now laid under the new coaching staff, UCLA fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic heading into the summer and the fall campaign.