The Utah Utes-UCLA Bruins matchup is one of the extra anticipated video games nationally in Week 1, particularly within the late window.
The intrigue lies within the debut of two switch quarterbacks with their new groups — Utah’s Devon Dampier and UCLA Nico Iamaleava.
Advertisement
Iamaleava’s switch saga was well-publicized and turned one of the most important matters of the school soccer offseason.
After serving to Tennessee to a 10-2 common season file and a College Football Playoff look in his second season in Knoxville, the Volunteers assumed that he’d be their starter within the 2025 season.
In the NIL period, issues can change quick.
According to a report from The Athletic, Iamaleava’s camp and Tennessee couldn’t agree on a revenue-sharing contract, and Iamaleava held out close to the top of the Volunteers’ spring apply.
Holdouts are outdated hat in skilled sports activities, however who may have seen this coming in school athletics a decade in the past?
Advertisement
Iamaleava wasn’t the only motive the Volunteers have been within the playoffs, however he had a strong 12 months, ending the season with 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns (with 5 interceptions) by the air and 358 yards and three scores on the bottom.
Was he price $4 million per 12 months, although?
A supply advised The Athletic that Iamaleava was searching for a deal that will be “nearing” the highest of the quarterback market at $4 million.
With the choice to carry out of apply and the quantity of cash he was asking for, Tennessee determined the juice wasn’t well worth the squeeze and Iamaleava entered the spring switch portal. The Volunteers had one of the nation’s greatest defenses final season and felt that it may win with out Iamaleava.
Advertisement
Iamaleava landed at UCLA, which was in want of a quarterback, however his deal isn’t on the prime of the quarterback market. On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Iamaleava’s compensation at UCLA is within the $1.2 million vary.
In an odd twist, former UCLA QB Joey Aguilar transferred to Tennsesee and turned the Volunteers’ new quarterback, whereas Iamaleava transferred to Westwood and would be the Bruins’ beginning signal-caller.
UCLA enters the second 12 months of the Deshaun Foster period — and its second season within the Big Ten Conference — after a 5-7 marketing campaign, the identical file Utah posted final 12 months.
Adding to the similarities is the truth that each groups have new offensive coordinators. Change was wanted after the Bruins scored simply 18.4 factors per recreation final season, so UCLA employed Tino Sunseri, who guided Indiana’s No. 2 scoring offense final season (41.3 factors per recreation).
Advertisement
There are transfers aplenty on offense, together with Cal working again Jaivian Thomas, Michigan State working again Jalen Burger, Utah working again Anthony Woods, Utah (and Cal) receiver Mikey Matthews and UCF receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala.
Meanwhile, the Utes, who scored simply 23.6 factors per recreation, employed New Mexico’s Jason Beck, who referred to as the nation’s No. 4 most efficient offense (484.2 yards per recreation).
On the opposite facet, Dampier will probably be making his highly-anticipated debut for the Utes.
After final season’s offensive woes, it gained’t take a lot for Dampier to dazzle Ute followers, particularly if he can sustain final season’s manufacturing whereas cleansing up turnovers and bettering his passing accuracy.
Advertisement
Dampier threw for 2,768 yards and 12 touchdowns (on 58% accuracy with 12 interceptions) and ran for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns. His statistical achievements didn’t simply come in opposition to Mountain West groups, both.
He threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions, on 57% passing, and rushed for 130 yards and two scores in opposition to Arizona. Against Washington State, Dampier threw for 174 yards and a rating on 44% accuracy, however gained the sport on the bottom, dashing for 193 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries, together with the game-winning landing.
Aside from Utah’s offensive line, which returns each starter, together with tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, almost each participant that can begin on offense on Saturday is new.
That consists of extensive receivers Tobias Merriweather (Cal) and Larry Simmons (Southern Miss) and working backs Wayshawn Parker (Washington State) and NaQuari Rogers (New Mexico).
Advertisement
It’s been fairly awhile because the Utes began the season with a brand new offensive coordinator, and whereas coach Kyle Whittingham says Utah’s offense will probably be “almost a carbon copy of what New Mexico was in philosophy,” there have been nonetheless be new wrinkles that Beck has added this offseason.
Saturday’s conflict is one of simply 5 between two Power Four groups that day and will cap off the primary week of school soccer with a 9 p.m. MDT kickoff.
The instant take a look at out of the gate may inform us rather a lot about each groups — particularly on offense.
How will Iamaleava fare on a brand new staff with a brief acclimation interval? How will Dampier, and Utah’s offense, play in opposition to a Power Four opponent? How will Beck’s offense differ from Ludwig’s?
All of these questions, and extra, will probably be answered in simply six days on the Rose Bowl.