PASADENA — Anthony Frias II spoke to the media a few weeks ago. The redshirt senior running back had yet to take a carry in the 2025 season.
He was pestered with questions about whether Bruins’ interim head coach Tim Skipper’s entrance could lead to playing time.
“I’m just trying to do my part every day, trying to make sure that I take care of everything,” Frias said a few weeks ago. “I really trust what the coaches are going to do and whoever they put out there.”
On Saturday against Maryland, Frias more than did his part. Breaking out for a 55-yard touchdown run to place UCLA ahead 7-3 in the second quarter, the Turlock native took a handoff up the middle and never took his foot off the gas pedal. Terrapins defensive back Braydon Lee did his best to trip Frias to the ground, but instead, he flopped to the ground as the Bruins’ tailback celebrated in the end zone.
Frias’ 55-yard run was UCLA’s longest of the season, his longest of his career — the single run passing his 2024 total and his total across two seasons at Kansas State before transferring to Westwood.
“It doesn’t matter what you do tomorrow,” Frias said before UCLA took on Northwestern, “it just matters what you do right now.”
When he was a boy, he carried a sign outside the Rose Bowl that read, “One day I will play here.” Now, right now, Frias owns a touchdown on the storied stadium’s green grass.
Coach, call my name
When Siale Taupaki, the seventh-year defensive lineman, joined the Bruins’ offense for multiple plays last week, it caused his defensive teammates to salivate. Taupaki secured vital blocks that allowed UCLA to score one of its touchdowns against Michigan State a week ago.
Could this be me? Can I play on offense and defense?
“Shoot, give me a little pop pass,” said Keanu Williams, redshirt senior defensive lineman. “I want a touchdown. I don’t like blocking, I want to score.”
Said redshirt senior defensive lineman Devin Aupiu: “I’m not going to lie, I wanted to play myself because I love to hit people.”
Time will tell if offensive play caller Jerry Neuheisel, just three weeks into leading the Bruins’ offense, will call another defensive lineman’s name.
Crowded Class
UCLA’s student section, The Den, allowed all new freshmen and transfer students to attend Saturday’s game against Maryland for free. Skipper pleaded with fans, even penning an email asking for increased fan attendance.
Such efforts, along with winning two consecutive games, appeared to pay off. It was no doubt the largest student showing UCLA has had so far this season.
The north end zone was filled to the brim with students waving blue pom poms on sticks, while a group of a dozen students waved their blue shirts, baring the glaring Pasadena sun at the top rows of the Rose Bowl.
After Frias’ touchdown, that dozen became more than two hundred rabid fans, and the vibes in the crowd met the early touchdown the Bruins placed on the scoreboard.