Mateen Bhaghani
Photo by: Mac Brown
Bhaghani Named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week
October 20, 2025 | Football
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Junior kicker Mateen Bhaghani of the UCLA football team was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week following his clutch performance in the Bruins' 20-17 win over Maryland on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
Bhaghani converted two field goals and two extra points for UCLA, including a tie-breaking and game-winning 23-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the contest. On the ensuing play, Bhaghani's strategically-placed kickoff to the 8-yard line went for no return and time expired.
Bhaghani also connected on a 42-yard attempt at the 2:04 mark of the fourth quarter, giving the Bruins a 17-10 lead at the time.
For the season, Bhaghani is 12-for-15 on field goal attempts and a perfect 15-for-15 on extra points.
This marks the second-career Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honor for Bhaghani. He was also honored by the league office after going 3-for-3 on field goals – including a game-winner with under a minute remaining – to guide UCLA to a 16-13 win at Hawai'i on Aug. 31, 2024.
Bhaghani is the second player to earn a weekly award from the Big Ten Conference this season, as quarterback Nico Iamaleava was tabbed the league's Offensive Player of the Week leading UCLA to a win over then-No. 7 Penn State on Oct. 4.
Next Up
Winners of three straight, UCLA next travels to No. 2 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) for a conference showdown in Bloomington, Ind. The Bruin-Hoosier matchup will be the showcase game of FOX's "Big Noon" coverage, with kickoff scheduled for 9 a.m. PT (12 p.m. ET) from Memorial Stadium.
Tickets to Home Games at the Rose Bowl
Various ticket packages, including season, mini-plan and single-game tickets, for the Bruins' inaugural Big Ten season are now available. Fans can click HERE or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via email at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information on personalized ticket options.
Sign up for UCLA Athletics emails HERE to stay up-to-date on inside information, ticket deals and more.
Bhaghani converted two field goals and two extra points for UCLA, including a tie-breaking and game-winning 23-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the contest. On the ensuing play, Bhaghani's strategically-placed kickoff to the 8-yard line went for no return and time expired.
Bhaghani also connected on a 42-yard attempt at the 2:04 mark of the fourth quarter, giving the Bruins a 17-10 lead at the time.
For the season, Bhaghani is 12-for-15 on field goal attempts and a perfect 15-for-15 on extra points.
This marks the second-career Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honor for Bhaghani. He was also honored by the league office after going 3-for-3 on field goals – including a game-winner with under a minute remaining – to guide UCLA to a 16-13 win at Hawai'i on Aug. 31, 2024.
Bhaghani is the second player to earn a weekly award from the Big Ten Conference this season, as quarterback Nico Iamaleava was tabbed the league's Offensive Player of the Week leading UCLA to a win over then-No. 7 Penn State on Oct. 4.
Next Up
Winners of three straight, UCLA next travels to No. 2 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) for a conference showdown in Bloomington, Ind. The Bruin-Hoosier matchup will be the showcase game of FOX's "Big Noon" coverage, with kickoff scheduled for 9 a.m. PT (12 p.m. ET) from Memorial Stadium.
Tickets to Home Games at the Rose Bowl
Various ticket packages, including season, mini-plan and single-game tickets, for the Bruins' inaugural Big Ten season are now available. Fans can click HERE or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via email at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information on personalized ticket options.
Sign up for UCLA Athletics emails HERE to stay up-to-date on inside information, ticket deals and more.
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