UCLA vs. New Mexico 2025: Keys to the Game and Predictions

It’s a UCLA vs. New Mexico matchup in Week 3 of the 2025 season, and predictions for this game are surprisingly split. The UCLA Bruins return to the Rose Bowl after a 0-2 start, marked by a blowout loss and a failed comeback. However, the Blue and Gold now shift focus to Friday night’s game in Pasadena against 1-1 New Mexico.

The winless Bruins will be on a short week against the Lobos. The stress of the season’s first win remains, but a bounce-back game could generate traction heading into the Bye Week.

“It’s huge,” UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster said about winning. “It’s important to get a victory. These guys need to feel that, because that can carry over.”

UCLA Bruins vs. New Mexico Lobos: Matchup History

For a second consecutive week, UCLA will be paired with a Mountain West opponent. The Bruins didn’t hold much history against UNLV, and the same holds true against New Mexico.

The last time we saw these two teams toss leather was in 2002 at the Las Vegas Bowl on Christmas Day. UCLA capped its 8-5 season with a 27-13 win over the Lobos. This meeting was one year removed from Foster’s senior season with the Bruins.

UCLA vs. New Mexico 2025: Must-Know Keys and Predictions

Bruins’ Early-Season Rust

UCLA has not panned out the way most presumed. The offense, led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava, has not clicked, and the defense is lacking integrity.

“It’s unfortunate we didn’t have our quarterback in spring, so it’s just taking a little bit more time,” Foster told reporters Monday. “The more that we can continue to get reps and get out there, the more this offense is going to look more comfortable.”

Nationally, the Bruins have struggled. They currently rank 115th in scoring offense, averaging 16.5 points per game. Defensively, they are 120th in points allowed, surrendering 36.5 points per game. Part of that is the rushing defense, which ranks 126th, allowing 217 yards per game. UCLA also sits 133rd in opponent third-down conversions, admitting a 70.4-percent success rate (19/27). Offensively, their third-down conversions aren’t much greater at just 20.8 percent (5/24).

“Just finding a way to get these guys to show up in the first half,” Foster added. “I think if we could put together two halves like we did in that second half … then a lot of these numbers might be a little different … I think that we’re stopping ourselves more than the opponent is stopping us.”

While the recent half has been more on par with expectations, the season’s overall numbers remain concerning.

Key Players for UCLA

The front seven needs a statement game. The Bruins get a break from mobile quarterbacks and will face New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne, who prefers to operate from the pocket rather than with his feet.

Defensive linemen Anthony Jones and Kechaun Bennett are the only Bruins to record a sack this season. However, the pressure with a four-man rush has been inconsistent. Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe has dialed up blitzes with linebackers Isaiah Chisom and JonJon Vaughns that have resulted in tackles for loss, so a game plan to keep Layne on his back foot could be in store.

“I do think we have an advantage as a defensive line, just matchup-per-matchup,” Jones said. “Not as mobile as a quarterback as we’ve seen these past two weeks, so we should be able to pass rush, get there and keep him in the pocket.”

A pocket passer can be as lethal as a scrambling one, but when pressure is generated, it allows for better sack opportunities — a stat that the Blue and Gold could use more of.

Key Players for New Mexico

With as vulnerable as UCLA has been against the run, the Lobos running back Scottre Humphrey is looking to carve big numbers.

Humphrey is a transfer back who is fresh off a near 1,400-yard, 16-touchdown season. The junior is an explosive runner who has the power and speed to break one the distance. Humphrey has the vision at the line, the burst to hit a hole and the balance to bounce off defenders.

The Seattle native has handled 28 carries for 174 yards and two touchdowns in two games. In the Mountain West, he’s currently seventh in rushing yards, third in rushing touchdowns and is fifth in yards per carry (minimum 10 carries). Look for the Lobos to ride the legs of Humphrey in hopes of exposing a suspect rush defense.

UCLA’s Keys to Victory

Whatever Foster instilled into his team in the final half last week, it must find a way to carry over into this week. If the Bruins can play with that energy for a full 60 minutes, they’ll be a tough team to stop. They must get drives going early on offense; no room to fall behind in the first half.

It’s a common point every week, but Iamaleava needs to be in situations where he’s comfortable. He can’t be forced to put a cape on every drive. Set the tone with the rush, then open up the passing game with play-actions and RPO’s.

Defensively, anchor down in the trenches and have the linebackers bring heat to set up long down and distances.

Dropping to 0-3 would be demoralizing. A win would salvage an ugly start to the season.