LOS ANGELES — UCLA kicker Mateen Bhaghani gets more attention than the average college football pundit. He even has his own nickname – “Money Bhags” – and got noticed on Friday when he pierced a 57-yard field goal against Iowa.

“At first I saw it and I was like, ‘Oh, how far was that?’ because we obviously saw that it was far away,” Bruins receiver Logan Loya said. “They said 57 yards and we were like, ‘Damn.’

Bhaghani came out for another 57-yard attempt later in the game, with the full confidence of his teammates and coach, but he missed. Coach DeShaun Foster said Bhaghani was consistent from 50 yards and the sophomore said he could score from as far as 65 yards in practice.

“I felt pretty good about (the 57-yarder) just because I saw him hit a few pregame,” Foster said. “And there was no elements, no wind or anything, so I was pretty confident he would make it.”

It was the longest field goal of Bhaghani’s career after making a 54-yard field goal earlier in the season against Oregon. It is the second-longest field goal in school history behind Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 60-yard field goal against California in 2015.

The Cal transfer has made 14 of 17 field goals this season in addition to 16 PATs. Bhaghani has also attracted the attention of other athletes of Pakistani origin and fans have taken to social media to share their admiration.

“I really want to show kids of my skin color and race that anything is possible,” Bhaghani said. “Some kids have reached out to me, maybe even sharing my name and sharing my culture, just saying, ‘Good job, it’s nice to see you there.’ »

Bhaghani has been nicknamed “Money Bhags” by special teams coordinator Kodi Whitfield and the team as a whole has welcomed the specialists, even though they are often isolated from the rest of the group during practices.

“There have been a lot of talented players, other position players that have really mixed in with the specialists,” Bhaghani said. “It makes us feel more part of the team because I know a lot of places, it’s not like that.”

Injury update

Receiver J. Michael Sturdivant and tight end Moliki Matavao were seen practicing during the media viewing period Tuesday morning after I am not participating in Friday’s match against Iowa.

Rico Flores Jr., a receiver who has now missed five games with an undisclosed injury, has not been seen in practice. Offensive lineman Nicki Prongos, who left the Iowa game early due to injury, was also not seen at practice. Foster said Prongos could be healthy in time for the USC game.

More Schwesinger awards

Linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the first time after throwing two interceptions against Iowa – another career first for the former backup – and recording seven tackles.