# Ucla football misses key players vs purdue

> Ucla loses two starters against purdue in big ten opener.
- Title: Ucla football misses key players vs purdue · California Post
- Summary: Ucla loses two starters against purdue in big ten opener. Ucla football will play without wide receiver mikey matthews and safety tao johnson in their big…
- Keywords: ucla, purdue, big ten, football, wide receiver, safety, rosetown, nfl, news, entertainment, misses, key
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/17/sports/ucla-football-miss-key-receiver-safety-purdue
- Published: 2026-09-17T15:41:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ucla, purdue, big ten, football, wide receiver, safety, rosetown, nfl, news, entertainment
## Ucla football down two starters
Ucla’s football team will be down two part-time starters for its big ten opener on saturday at the rose bowl.
## Key players listed out
Wide receiver mikey matthews and safety tao johnson, each of whom started one game earlier this season, were listed as out for the bruis’ game against purdue on saturday night.
## Other players missing game
Others who will miss the game are reserve offensive tackle mack indestad; reserve wide receiver jonah smith; backup center sam yoon; and reserve defensive backs joshua dixon and jamier johnson.
## Injuries affect players
Matthews went down against san diego state last weekend with an apparent left leg injury. Mizell also was hurt while making his season debut against the aztecs.
## Johnson’s injury history
Johnson was hurt in the season opener against cal, giving way to backup ta’shawn james, who went on to make two interceptions and move into the starting lineup against san diego state.
## Purdue also missing players
Purdue will be without defensive backs Mister clark and raderrion daniels as well as tight end kylan fox.
## Key takeaway

Ucla football will play without wide receiver mikey matthews and safety tao johnson in their big ten opener against purdue.