COLLEGE PARK, Md. — In Bob Chesney’s fourth game as UCLA’s football coach, his run-oriented offense featured a new, critical wrinkle: the direct snap.
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Wayne Knight opened the scoring on one such 45-yard carry and Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas also scored on runs from a direct snap during a 20-point second quarter in the Bruins’ 54-3 romp over Maryland on Saturday.
It marked the largest road conference victory since 1955 for the Bruins, who improved to 4-0 – one season after winning just three games – and 2-0 in the Big Ten.
Knight finished with 100 yards on 10 carries after entering Week 4 as the FBS leader in touchdowns (eight), rushing touchdowns (eight) and yards per carry (8.85).
Nico Iamaleava completed 15 of 24 passes for 209 yards and an 83-yard touchdown to Aidan Mizell on his final throw of the day. The senior signal caller grabbed at his right arm after the pass over the flat, but the game was also out of hand when younger brother Madden took over late.
Troy Leigber completed UCLA’s second consecutive 50-plus point performance with a 63-yard run long after it was clear Chesney would become the first UCLA coach to begin his career 4-0 since the legendary Red Sanders did so in 1949.
Yet the offense was merely explosive. The defense was truly impressive, albeit against a Maryland team that looked shaken by the pressure on embattled coach Mike Locksley following last weekend’s loss to Virginia Tech.
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The Bruins picked off Terrapins sophomore quarterback Malik Washington four times, with Ta’Shawn James and Scooter Jackson returning theirs for touchdowns during the third quarter.
Mason Rivera and Trent Hendrick also had picks. By the time it was over, UCLA had outgained Maryland 475-181 overall and 266-39 on the ground while holding the Terrapins to just 1 of 15 on third down.
It wasn’t clear UCLA’s strong start would continue when Bruins offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy faced a fourth-and-1 early in the second quarter of a scofreless game, with Knight to that point limited to four yards on four carries.
So the Bruins lined Iamaleava out wide and Knight in the shotgun. Knight took the snap, followed pulling guard Julian Armella through the left side of the line and sprinted untouched into the second level and eventually the horseshoe end zone at Maryland’s SECU Stadium.
Knight also had a 33-yard carry on an option pitchout during UCLA’s second drive, a four-play, 62-yard march aided by a Maryland facemask penalty. Woods finished it with two direct snap runs, a 13-yard dash to the left on first down followed by a 1-yard punch-in.
Thomas got in on the fun on a 3-yard carry that completed a 75-yard drive prolonged by another Maryland facemask offense.
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More to come on this story.