UCLA enters its Big Ten opener against Northwestern on Saturday afternoon in Evanston, Ill., behind an interim coach eager to help the program recharge and reset.
Tim Skipper took the reins of the Bruins (0-3 overall) after DeShaun Foster was fired on the heels of a 35-10 loss to New Mexico on Sept. 12.
One of Skipper’s first moves during the team’s ensuing bye week aimed to create camaraderie in the locker room by venturing outside of it.
“We went bowling,” Skipper said. “To get in a fun atmosphere and still be competing. That was the whole thought behind it.”
UCLA hopes to find its stride against the Wildcats (1-2, 0-1), who also are coming off a bye week.
Northwestern stumbled to a 34-14 home loss to then-No. 4 Oregon on Sept. 13, struggling to find stability on offense after losing leading rusher Cam Porter to a season-ending leg injury he suffered during a 42-7 victory against Western Illinois the previous week.
Wildcats coach David Braun continues to support Preston Stone despite the quarterback showing shakiness against the Ducks. Stone was 11-for-21 passing for 135 yards and two interceptions.
“Preston just needs to continue to make sure that what we see in practice is what shows up on game day,” Braun said. “And the things that make him great — his competitiveness, his ownership, his desire to do great things for his team — ultimately, he just needs to make sure it doesn’t turn into him trying to do too much for his team.”
UCLA counterpart Nico Iamaleava also is searching for consistency. The sophomore transfer from Tennessee has passed for as many touchdowns as interceptions this season — three — after throwing for 19 touchdowns and five picks over 334 attempts last season.
The Bruins’ new interim coach, Skipper, has experience with guiding programs in transition. He was acting head coach for Fresno State during a New Mexico Bowl victory following the 2023 season and became interim coach in 2024, leading the Bulldogs to another bowl berth.
