PASADENA — The UCLA football program continues to make positive strides following an abysmal start to the season, and right in the middle of the action has been Anthony Frias II.
The former Turlock High and Modesto Junior College standout had a career performance on Saturday at Rose Bowl Stadium, tabbing 97 yards and a touchdown on four carries as the Bruins defeated Maryland by a 20-17 score. It was the Bruins’ third win in the last four games after firing head coach DeShaun Foster following an 0-3 start to the season.
“It means the world to me,” said Frias, who attended the Rose Bowl in 2016 when Stanford played Iowa. A photo of him holding up a sign reading “One day, I will play here!” in front of the entrance of the iconic venue has recently gone viral on social media.
The 23-year-old Frias, standing 5-foot-10, 225-pounds, broke off a 55-yard touchdown run in the early stages of the second quarter to put the Bruins up 7-3. It was the team's longest play on scrimmage to date, and was the first score of the 23-year-old’s Division I career.
The running back, who graduated from Turlock High in 2020 before joining the MJC Pirates in 2021, remained involved in the offense throughout the game as a pass blocker and a pre-snap decoy in motion, as well as serving as a kick returner.
The cherry on top of his stellar evening came on his fourth and final carry of the night. With just 18 seconds left in regulation and the score knotted at 17, Frias ran nearly untouched for 35 yards to set Mateen Bhagani’s game-winning, 23-yard field goal.
“It’s just a mentality, and being able to have the opportunity today,” Frias said of his two big runs. “I was just trying to make the most of it. When I was going through the runs, just making sure I run hard and keep my legs going and have a high knee drive. It was a moment that I was able to capitalize on…”
Bhagani praised Frias’ effort on the five-play, 68-yard drive that set up his winning kick.
“It was a very special moment,” he said. “I’m super appreciative of our offense — (Quarterback) Nico (Iamaleava) and Frias really putting their heart out on the line and getting me down there.”
Frias’ 97 yards were a career high. He was fittingly named UCLA’s Player of the Game.
“God is good. I am just so grateful,” Frias said. “When I came here with my dad to watch that Rose Bowl game, it is amazing to see it come to fruition. I am blessed and so happy that all the work that has been going on is finally coming, and I was able to get an opportunity and make the most out of it. Just thankful for my coaches for letting me do that tonight.”
As Frias said, the opportunities have increased as of late. Though he has been the primary returner on kickoffs all year, he was not handed the ball a single time on offense through the team’s first five games, a stretch in which they went 1-4.
On Oct 10 at Michigan State, he rushed for 37 yards on seven carries, setting the table for Saturday's breakout performance.
“Frias is a hard-working dude,” said interim head coach Tim Skipper. “He (was buried on the depth chart at the beginning of the year, but he just kept working — never complained. He had his opportunity tonight and he took full advantage of it tonight.”
Frias feels that he can build on Saturday's game to continue making a significant impact on offense to help the Bruins climb the Big Ten standings and earn a bowl berth.
“It just feels good to finally be balling again, and showing what I can do. I’m just grateful for the staff, I’m grateful for the moment, and I’m trying to soak it in. Then tomorrow comes around and get ready for next week.”
This weekend’s game is certainly a big one, as the Bruins will travel to Bloomington to take on the No. 2 team in the country, Indiana (7-0), in the showcase game of FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff. The national college pregame show Saturday will begin at 7 a.m. PT, live from the stadium, with the game slated to get underway at 9 a.m.
