Homecoming kick: Mateen Bhaghani seals UCLA's third straight win

PASADENA, Calif - Saturday night's 20-17 win for UCLA over Maryland wasn't the most field goals kicker Mateen Bhaghani had ever scored in his college career, they weren't even particularly the farthest, one was 42 yards while the other was 23, but they may have been some of the most impactful in his time as a Bruin. 

For most of the day it was quiet on either side of the scoresheet for both the Bruins and the Terrapins. Both sides were on point defensively and by the half it was just a tight 7-3 affair in favor of the Bruins.

Things got dicey for after Maryland defensive back Jamare Glasker picked off Nico Iamaleava on the Bruins' own eight-yard-line for a 10-7 lead, but UCLA returned order late in the fourth with a touchdown of their own to get back ahead. 

Robert Talamantes- The Sporting Tribune

#2 Titus Mokiao-Atimalala of UCLA catches a pass during an NCAA football game against Maryland Terrapinson October 18, 2025 in Pasadena, CA.

This tight, touchdown-heavy scoring effort meant that Bhaghani's main job through most of the game was to kick the occasional extra point, which he did each time. 

But, he was called to kick a handful of field goals and his was first one was a mammoth of a test. 

A nine-play, 52 yard drive by UCLA was stuffed down past the midpoint off the field with just under eight minutes left in the fourth. UCLA at this point was trailing 7-10 and needed to make a move fast against the stifling Terrapin defense. That's when they called on Bhaghani for a 56-yard field goal attempt. It was the second-longest field goal attempt of his college career after a 57-yarder he made against Iowa in 2024. 

He drove through and while he had the distance to make it through the uprights, he didn't have the direction. His kick veered left and was no-good, keeping UCLA behind. 

It was crunch time in the fourth quarter and Bhaghani didn't dwell on the kick that came before. 

Robert Talamantes- The Sporting Tribune

#6 Anthony Woods of UCLA breaks a tackle during an NCAA football game against Maryland Terrapinson October 18, 2025 in Pasadena, CA.

"I always try to remind myself: just flush those moments, just flush those kicks.It's very hard sometimes, but I knew I had more in the game, Coach Mac [Bailey McElwain] and Coach [Anthony] Goliver, both my special teams coaches, told me, 'keep your head in it. You're going to have another one.' And, I really just believed and kept my head down."

Bhaghani did, in fact, have another one. UCLA retook the lead 14-10 with a touchdown pass that found Mikey Mathews in the end zone and a clutch interception on Maryland's next drive gave the Bruins the ball back with just under three minutes left in the game. They converted this gifted drive into another field goal attempt by Bhaghani, and this one he sank for vital insurance points to improve the lead 17-10.

"For me, it's that second kick after I missed the first one. [I] just really focused on the details. I was just trying to be as intentional as I can."

Those three extra points proved game saving after the Terrapins tied the game with a 75-yard-drive that ended in a touchdown to tie the game at 17 apiece. 

The Bruins had one more drive left. A drive that became terrifying after Iamaleava limped off the field after a sack, but became triumphant when he miraculously returned. Anthony Frias II rushed down the field for 35 yards to put the Bruins in easy range for the game winner, and Bhaghani was called on once again. 

At just 23 yards, it was an easy make and Bhagani sealed the victory for the Bruins 20-17 with just two seconds left in the game in front of the Homecoming crowd at the Rose Bowl.

"It was a very special moment. I'm super appreciative of our offense... really putting their heart out on the line and getting me down there and Salem [Abdul-Wahab] and Cash [Peterman] just making it easy for me, a little tap-in kick."