UCLA Prepares for Nevada Threat

UCLA football holds a 7-0 record, the first unbeaten start for the Bruins since 2005. The team faces Nevada in Pasadena on Saturday in a nonconference game. Coach Bob Chesney says the squad must master every detail in practice to maintain that standard.

Chesney noted that Tuesday's practice did not meet his expectations for huddle procedures. Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy criticized the players for breaking the huddle while junior quarterback Madden Iamaleava ran live offensive reps. Chesney stated the issue was not a major problem but rather a failure to meet the daily standard for how the team breaks the huddle.

Nevada's defense presents a specific challenge at the line of scrimmage. Edge rusher Dylan LaBarbera, a 6-foot-1, 248-pound senior, leads the Wolfpack. LaBarbera earned a spot on the 2025 All-Mountain West team with 87 total tackles, 17 for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He currently has 55 tackles and four sacks this season and appears on the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list alongside UCLA senior Sammy Omosigho.

Chesney described LaBarbera's motor as phenomenal after reviewing game film. The coach said the player is physical, fast enough for the passing game, and relentless in his pursuit. Chesney added that LaBarbera never slows down or takes a rep off, bringing heart to every play.

Punter Curtis Gerrand contributed to the team's success in the 2025 season opener against Michigan State. Gerrand pinned two of his four punts inside the 20-yard line. One 49-yard spiral bounced and was stopped by Shane Rosenthal at the Michigan State 2-yard line with 1:09 left in the third quarter.

Chesney was seen punting with Gerrand two hours before kickoff at the Rose Bowl. Gerrand is from Melbourne and won four grand finals in Australian Rules Football. He arrived in the United States as a freshman at Sam Houston State in 2025 before transferring to UCLA.

Chesney said Gerrand understands where the ball needs to be during plays. The punt rush team applied pressure, and the unit secured field position advantages that led to success in previous games.