UCLA Bruins at Maryland Terrapins

Injuries noted

UCLA Bruins: Tao Johnson (out) — 247Sports (UCLA) and SI report Johnson, a starting defensive back, is out for a third consecutive game with an upper-body injury from Week 1 vs. Cal.; Mikey Matthews (out for season) — SI's Sept. 24, 2026 UCLA Week 4 injury report states Matthews (WR) is out for the season after foot surgery.; Jonah Smith (out) — Listed out on UCLA's Sept. 24, 2026 injury report (WR).; Joshua Dixon (out) — Listed out on UCLA's Sept. 24, 2026 injury report (DB).; Jamier Johnson (out) — Listed out on UCLA's Sept. 24, 2026 injury report (DB).; Sam Yoon (out) — Listed out on UCLA's Sept. 24, 2026 injury report (OL).; Josh Phifer (questionable) — TE questionable per SI/247Sports reports; has missed the previous two contests.; Aidan Mizell (questionable) — WR listed questionable with recurring injury issues per SI's Sept. 24, 2026 report.; Mack Indestad (questionable) — Backup offensive lineman listed questionable per SI/247Sports reports.; Jhase McMillan (probable) — Backup cornerback listed probable per SI/247Sports reports.

Maryland Terrapins: Harry Dalton III (out) — RB out per Inside the Black and Gold's Maryland inactives report; third on team in yards, second in touchdowns.; Preston Howard (out) — TE listed out for the UCLA game per Inside the Black and Gold report.; DeJuan Williams (out) — RB remains out after undergoing surgery, per Inside the Black and Gold's inactives report.; Zahir Mathis (out) — LB listed out per Maryland's inactives report.; Dontay Joyner (out) — CB listed out per Maryland's inactives report.; Josiah Teasley (out) — WR listed out per Maryland's inactives report.; Delmar White (out) — DL listed out per Maryland's inactives report.; Terrez Worthy (out) — RB listed out per Maryland's inactives report.; Teagan Cox (doubtful) — Interior offensive lineman listed doubtful per Maryland's inactives report.; Travares Daniels II (questionable) — LB listed questionable per Maryland's inactives report.; DD Holmes (questionable) — LB listed questionable per Maryland's inactives report.; Jordan Scruggs (questionable) — DB listed questionable per Maryland's inactives report.; Cardell Williams (questionable) — Backup QB listed questionable on Maryland's injury/inactives report ahead of the UCLA game; Malik Washington remains the confirmed starter.

TRENCHES

• UCLA: 286.7 rushing yards per game to MD's 184.7

  102 YPG

  UCLA is running for 286.7 a game over three games, roughly double last season's 139.6, and MD is up to 184.7 from 104.3. Both teams are far above their baselines, which points to soft early schedules on both sides. The ground gap is real for now, but expect both numbers to fall once conference play tightens up.

TURNOVERS

• UCLA: 2.33 takeaways per game to MD's 1.33

  1 TO

  UCLA has forced 2.33 turnovers a game over 3 games, and Maryland has forced 1.33. Turnovers bounce around from week to week, so three games of them say little about who a defense is. A one-turnover gap is small enough that it shouldn't move much of your view on this game.

MISMATCH

• UCLA: 286.7 rush yards a game to MD's 184.7

  286.7 VS 184.7

  UCLA is running for 286.7 yards a game after 139.6 last season, and Maryland is at 184.7 after 104.3. Both teams have run far better over three games than last season, so this is two ground games colliding. UCLA's jump is bigger and the most likely to come back down. Expect a game where both sides lean on the run, which tends to keep the clock moving.

COVERAGE

• MD: 181.7 passing yards allowed per game to UCLA's 253.7

  72 YPG

  Maryland is allowing 181.7 passing yards a game, and UCLA is giving up 253.7, both over three games. That 72-yard gap favors Maryland, but three games can reflect who threw against them as much as the coverage itself, and the opponents are not listed. For this game, UCLA's secondary is the softer spot, so Maryland's passing game is the side to think about when sizing up yardage or scoring.

REPLACEMENT

• Mikey Matthews (WR) is out for the season for UCLA

  OUT FOR SEASON

  SI's Sept. 24, 2026 UCLA Week 4 injury report states Matthews (WR) is out for the season after foot surgery. UCLA Week 4 Injury Report: Latest Updates, Status for Maryland (2026-09-24)

• Terrez Worthy (RB) is out for MD

  OUT

  RB listed out per Maryland's inactives report. RB Harry Dalton, TE Preston Howard among Maryland's inactives for B1G opener vs. UCLA (2026-09-24)

• Delmar White (DL) is out for MD

  OUT

  DL listed out per Maryland's inactives report. RB Harry Dalton, TE Preston Howard among Maryland's inactives for B1G opener vs. UCLA (2026-09-24)

• Josiah Teasley (WR) is out for MD

  OUT

  WR listed out per Maryland's inactives report. RB Harry Dalton, TE Preston Howard among Maryland's inactives for B1G opener vs. UCLA (2026-09-24)

• Dontay Joyner (DB) is out for MD

  OUT

  CB listed out per Maryland's inactives report. RB Harry Dalton, TE Preston Howard among Maryland's inactives for B1G opener vs. UCLA (2026-09-24)

• Zahir Mathis (LB) is out for MD

  OUT

  LB listed out per Maryland's inactives report. RB Harry Dalton, TE Preston Howard among Maryland's inactives for B1G opener vs. UCLA (2026-09-24)

• DeJuan Williams (RB) is out for MD

  OUT

  RB remains out after undergoing surgery, per Inside the Black and Gold's inactives report. RB Harry Dalton, TE Preston Howard among Maryland's inactives for B1G opener vs. UCLA (2026-09-24)

• Preston Howard (TE) is out for MD

  OUT

  TE listed out for the UCLA game per Inside the Black and Gold report. RB Harry Dalton, TE Preston Howard among Maryland's inactives for B1G opener vs. UCLA (2026-09-24)

• Harry Dalton III (RB) is out for MD

  OUT

  RB out per Inside the Black and Gold's Maryland inactives report; third on team in yards, second in touchdowns. RB Harry Dalton, TE Preston Howard among Maryland's inactives for B1G opener vs. UCLA (2026-09-24)

• Sam Yoon (OL) is out for UCLA

  OUT

  Listed out on UCLA's Sept. 24, 2026 injury report (OL). UCLA Week 4 Injury Report: Latest Updates, Status for Maryland (2026-09-24)

• Jamier Johnson (DB) is out for UCLA

  OUT

  Listed out on UCLA's Sept. 24, 2026 injury report (DB). UCLA Week 4 Injury Report: Latest Updates, Status for Maryland (2026-09-24)

• Joshua Dixon (DB) is out for UCLA

  OUT

  Listed out on UCLA's Sept. 24, 2026 injury report (DB). UCLA Week 4 Injury Report: Latest Updates, Status for Maryland (2026-09-24)

• Jonah Smith (WR) is out for UCLA

  OUT

  Listed out on UCLA's Sept. 24, 2026 injury report (WR). UCLA Week 4 Injury Report: Latest Updates, Status for Maryland (2026-09-24)

• Tao Johnson (DB) is out for UCLA

  OUT

  247Sports (UCLA) and SI report Johnson, a starting defensive back, is out for a third consecutive game with an upper-body injury from Week 1 vs. Cal. UCLA Week 4 Injury Report: Latest Updates, Status for Maryland (2026-09-24)

• Teagan Cox (OL) is doubtful for MD

  DOUBTFUL

  Interior offensive lineman listed doubtful per Maryland's inactives report. RB Harry Dalton, TE Preston Howard among Maryland's inactives for B1G opener vs. UCLA (2026-09-24)

SITUATIONAL

• MD: 330 team passing yards per game to UCLA's 203.7

  126.3 YPG

  MD is passing for 330 a game over three games, up from 255.7 last season, while UCLA at 203.7 is modestly above last year's 180.3. Pair this with UCLA's heavy run game and the identities are clear: MD throws, UCLA runs. Whichever side controls possession decides which style wins out, and MD's passing number is the one more likely to come down.

• MD: 50% fourth-down conversion rate to UCLA's 0%

  50 PP

  UCLA is 0% on fourth down through three games, Maryland is 50%. Fourth-down tries are a handful of snaps, so three games says very little, and UCLA converted 48.4% last season. Maryland's 50% is also up from 36% a year ago. Expect both numbers to drift, and read this more for how aggressive each coach is than for any real edge.

• MD: 57 penalty yards per game to UCLA's 94.3

  37.3 YDS

  UCLA is at 94.3 penalty yards per game over 3 games; MD is at 57 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 25. Last season UCLA was at 65.5 over 12 games and MD at 54.6 over 12 games.

• MD: 2 fourth-down attempts per game to UCLA's 0.33

  1.67 ATT/G

  UCLA is at 0.33 fourth-down attempts per game over 3 games; MD is at 2 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 25. Last season UCLA was at 2.58 over 12 games and MD at 2.08 over 12 games.