UCLA has faced some quality talent at the quarterback position through three games.

From Cal’s Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele to Purdue’s Ryan Browne, the Bruins have seen some quality quarterback play en route to their 3-0 record.

However, UCLA coach Bob Chesney thinks the Bruins could be facing their toughest quarterback test yet in Maryland sophomore Malik Washington.

“This quarterback is young and last year was what it was. He’s an entirely different quarterback right now. I’d put him on par with the kid from Cal [Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele] and the kid we just played [Ryan Browne],” Chesney said. “I think there might be a little more to his game. He’s an exciting to watch player … he has a giant arm and he’s as accurate as can be.”

UCLA will be heading out of state for the first time this season for its first Big Ten road game to take on the Terrapins on Saturday.

The Bruins (1-0 Big Ten) are aiming to start 4-0 for the first time since 2022.

Maryland coach Mike Locksley says the Bruins are similar to the teams they’ve faced in the sense that they have an established offensive identity.

“Bob’s done a good job of putting his system in quickly by bringing in 12 or 13 players that knew his system,” Locksley said.

Locksley particularly pointed to UCLA’s backfield, featuring Wayne Knight and Anthony Woods, as something the Terrapins have to be on the lookout for.

“They brought the guy from JMU [Wayne Knight], who understands their system. He came in and played really well at the end of the game last week,” he said. “They’ve got two heavy-handed guys that are very talented.”

Maryland has a budding star at quarterback in Washington. He’s thrown for 892 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions through three games. He has the arm talent to take over games himself.

Chesney said the Bruins need to take Washington’s supporting cast seriously.

“He’s got some guys, like some legit dudes, at receiver,” Chesney said. “The offensive line is stout. They’ve been playing together for a little while … they protect him and he delivers the football.”

Leading four Maryland players with at least 100 receiving yards is Chris Durr Jr., who has 28 receptions for 256 yards and three touchdowns. Right behind him is Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding with 17 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns.

UCLA’s secondary will face a significant test considering how strong the Terrapins’ passing game is. Defensive backs Rodrick Pleasant and Scooter Jackson have to shine for the Bruins if they want to limit Maryland’s offense, which is averaging 32 points per game.

Through three games, the Bruins have worn teams down with a bruising running game and sprinkled in timely play-action passes with Nico Iamaleava’s huge arm.

Locksley believes the key to stopping UCLA is by forcing Iamaleava to throw more and limiting the Bruins’ ground game.

“The thing we have to all understand is Nico is most dangerous when the pass play breaks down,” Locksley said. “We have to do a great job of containing Nico and making him throw the football to beat us.”

It will be interesting to see how Maryland plans on containing the Bruins’ signal-caller. Iamaleava has been getting better as the season progresses. In last week’s 52-38 victory over Purdue, he arguably had his best game in a UCLA uniform, throwing for a career-high 276 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions to go with 55 rushing yards.

While wide receiver Mikey Matthews has been ruled out for the season, Semaj Morgan and Brian Rowe Jr. continue to prove themselves as reliable weapons for Iamaleava. They will be heavily relied upon against a middling Maryland secondary that allowed 314 passing yards to Virginia Tech.

When: Saturday, 10:30 a.m. PT

Where: SECU Stadium, College Park, Md.

TV/Radio: Big Ten Network/790 AM