With college football season starting to creep up, we’re running down Indiana’s schedule to preview all 12 opponents for 2025.
Indiana welcomes UCLA to Bloomington in October for the first time. The programs faced off in Los Angeles last season in their first-ever matchup, which became a blowout IU victory. Head coach DeShaun Foster, in year two leading the Bruins, will hope to improve on last year’s up-and-down season and get the program rolling.
- Opponent: UCLA
- Date/Time/TV: Saturday, October 25, time TBD
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.
- 2024 record/postseason result: 5-7, 3-6 Big Ten
Returning production, offense: 54 percent (per Bill Connelly/ESPN) (72nd in the country)
Offensive outlook: UCLA’s offense finished near the bottom of the Big Ten last season, finishing in a tie with Iowa for fourth-worst in total offense. That stemmed from one of the worst rushing offenses in the country, at just 86.6 yards per game — ahead of only Colorado and Kent State.
Notably, though, Foster hired Indiana quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri as offensive coordinator. So the Bruins’ offense will look different this year, and could have some similarities to concepts IU utilized.
The Bruins made a transfer portal splash by adding Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava after a messy split with the Volunteers. Iamaleava helped UT reach the College Football Playoff, though that resulted in a blowout defeat at Ohio State. He ranked 10th in the SEC with 201.2 passing yards per game, with a 19:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also poses a rushing threat.
Cal transfer Jaivian Thomas (100 carries, 626 yards, seven touchdowns) should take over a big chunk of work in the backfield, alongside 2024 Michigan State transfer Jalen Berger. UCLA needs that duo, along with Iamaleava, to pick things up in the run game.
The Bruins lost their three leading receivers from last season, and four of their top five. Sophomore Kwazi Gilmer (31 receptions, 345 yards, two touchdowns) and redshirt senior Titus Mokiiao-Atimalala (28 receptions, 294 yards, one touchdown) will step into larger roles this year. And Cal transfer Mikey Matthews (32 receptions, 272 yards, one touchdown) will also be important.
UCLA’s offensive line largely struggled last season, and two starters from that group return this year. Kentucky transfer Courtland Ford and Florida State transfer Julian Armelia could be key pieces if UCLA’s blocking improves in 2025.
Returning production, defense: 37 percent (per Bill Connelly/ESPN) (114th in the country)
Defensive outlook: UCLA’s defense was solid last season, finishing 39th in the country in total defense. But the Bruins lost a lot from that unit, so it may not be an indicator for this year. Just two defensive starters return for the Bruins, and they suffered some particularly big losses at linebacker in Carson Schwesinger and Kain Medrano.
UCLA has the lowest amount of returning production in the Big Ten. Foster needs some younger players to step up in larger roles this season, like linebacker Jalen Woods (two tackles for loss, one sack, three QB hurries), and safety Kanye Clark (two passes broken up).
The Bruins also need some transfers to pan out. They added two former Indiana players in the portal: cornerback Jamier Johnson and defensive end Anthony Jones, who is on his fourth team (Oregon, IU, Michigan State).
Elsewhere, linebacker/defensive back Ben Perry (2.5 TFLs, one sack, one PBU, one QB hurry, one forced fumble) had some solid production in a reserve role at Louisville last year. Arkansas defensive end transfer Nico Davillier also chipped in with four QB hurries, one sack, and 1.5 TFLs.
Special teams outlook: Tulane transfer Will Karoll takes over punting duties this year; his 42.8 average would’ve ranked in the middle of the AAC, though he finished short on attempts to qualify. Junior Mateen Bhaghani returns at placekicker, after going 20 for 24 on field goals and 20 for 20 on extra points. UCLA lost its returners from last season, so it’s unclear who will take that job this year.
Overall Outlook: Foster has a lot of work ahead to get the Bruins on track. When Indiana dominated UCLA on the road last season, it was seen as a “statement” victory; that game appeared more of a toss-up entering the year. But in 2025, IU should be a pretty heavy favorite over UCLA in Bloomington. This Bruins team could be one of the worst in the Big Ten this season.
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