UCLA outlasts Purdue 52-38 in Big Ten opener behind Wayne Knight
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 20, 2026, 7:08 AM
Last updated Sep 20, 2026
Wayne Knight rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns in UCLA's 52-38 victory over Purdue during both teams' Big Ten opener on Saturday night. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava contributed by passing for 276 yards, including three touchdown throws, two to Semaj Morgan. UCLA's offense gained a total of 645 yards, marking their highest output in a conference game since 2019. Despite the loss, Purdue's Ryan Browne threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Both teams will face ranked opponents next week, with UCLA visiting Maryland and Purdue hosting No. 3 Notre Dame.
- •UCLA achieves 645 total yards, their most in a conference game since 2019.
- •Purdue is now 1-2, dropping their 19th consecutive conference game.
- •Knight's performance included a key 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
- •Iamaleava records his first three touchdown passes of the season.
- •Next week, UCLA plays at Maryland, and Purdue hosts Notre Dame.
- 7:08 AMYahoo Sports — Wayne Knight runs wild as UCLA survives Big Ten scare to stay perfect
- 6:54 AMYahoo Sports — Wayne Knight and UCLA bulldoze Purdue in Big Ten opener
- 6:53 AMYahoo Sports — Wayne Knight leads balanced UCLA offense past Purdue 52-38 in high-scoring Big Ten opener
"Wayne Knight ran for 177 yards and two touchdowns, Nico Iamaleava threw two of his three touchdown passes to Semaj Morgan, and UCLA defeated Purdue 52-38 on Saturday night in the Big Ten opener for both teams. A balanced offense helped Bob Chesney join Terry Donahue in 1976 and Jim Mora in 2012 as the third Bruins coach in the past 50 years to start his tenure 3-0.
"Wayne Knight rushes for 177 yards and two touchdowns as UCLA amasses 369 rushing yards and 645 total yards in a 52-38 win over Purdue.
"Wayne Knight rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns as UCLA survived a Purdue scare, 52-38, to improve to 3-0 under Bob Chesney.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 20, 2026, 7:08 AMWayne Knight runs wild as UCLA survives Big Ten scare to stay perfect
Wayne Knight rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns as UCLA survived a Purdue scare, 52-38, to improve to 3-0 under Bob Chesney.
- Yahoo SportsSep 20, 2026, 6:54 AMWayne Knight and UCLA bulldoze Purdue in Big Ten opener
Wayne Knight rushes for 177 yards and two touchdowns as UCLA amasses 369 rushing yards and 645 total yards in a 52-38 win over Purdue.
- Yahoo SportsSep 20, 2026, 6:53 AMWayne Knight leads balanced UCLA offense past Purdue 52-38 in high-scoring Big Ten opener
Wayne Knight ran for 177 yards and two touchdowns, Nico Iamaleava threw two of his three touchdown passes to Semaj Morgan, and UCLA defeated Purdue 52-38 on Saturday night in the Big Ten opener for both teams. A balanced offense helped Bob Chesney join Terry Donahue in 1976 and Jim Mora in 2012 as the third Bruins coach in the past 50 years to start his tenure 3-0.
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