UCLA football officially on 0-12 watch after loss

EVANSTON, Ill. — You can change the coach and quicken the tempo of apply, but one factor can’t be reworked.

It’s always going to be the same crew.

UCLA confirmed some struggle late in its Big Ten Conference opener Saturday afternoon at Martin Stadium while finally falling sufferer to the same issues that had plagued it before the dismissal of coach DeShaun Foster.

An extremely slow start in which it fell behind by a number of scores.

An offense that can’t run the ball or persistently maintain drives.

A protection that can’t stop the run or forestall big performs.

The Bruins are officially on 0-12 watch after finishing what was supposed to be the smooth half of their schedule with a 17-14 loss to Northwestern.

“Just wish, man, we had played the first half better,” Tim Skipper said after his debut as UCLA’s interim coach, “because I think it would have been a different outcome.”

The end left UCLA with heartache by the lake.

The Bruins (0-4 total, 0-1 Big Ten) had been in place to tie the rating or take the lead after stopping Northwestern on three consecutive performs, including a third-down sack by defensive lineman Gary Smith III that helped the Bruins get the ball back at their own 20-yard line with 1:29 left after a punt.

But a big sack of quarterback Nico Iamaleava by Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka with no timeouts remaining was adopted by a false start on offensive deal with Courtland Ford, taking an extra 10 seconds off the clock and leaving only eight seconds left and the Bruins still deep in their own territory.

“In critical moments we had penalties,” Iamaleava said, “so it’s getting to a point where I’m repeating myself every week.”

Iamaleava accomplished an 11-yard go to tight end Hudson Habermehl before the clock ran out on the Bruins’ comeback hopes after they’d shut out Northwestern (2-2, 1-1) in the second half.

“How that game went, man, I’m proud of the guys for fighting and finishing,” Skipper said. “We need to start a lot better.”

Iamaleava was once again virtually the only factor going for UCLA’s offense. He accomplished 19 of 27 passes for 180 yards and a landing while also working for a team-high 65 yards in 14 carries as half of an offensive sport plan that emphasised quarterback runs. Running backs Jaivian Thomas, Jalen Berger and Anthony Woods mixed for 66 yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry.

“We just need to execute, man,” Iamaleava said when requested what it could take for the working backs to have more success. “Execute up front — know who our keys and our reads are and really just execute up front.”

Northwestern didn’t have practically as a lot hassle transferring the ball on the ground. Caleb Komolafe gained a career-high 119 yards in 27 carries as half of a run sport that collected 199 yards.

Part of UCLA’s defensive struggles could possibly be pinned on working a new scheme being called by Kevin Coyle after his in-season arrival last week from Syracuse to basically take over for departed defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe.

“The first half, we were thinking too much and not making plays and the second half,” Skipper said, “we started making the plays and then obviously it’s going to look better.”

Perhaps the only upside to this loss was that the Bruins didn’t give up.

UCLA’s Anthony Woods carries the ball as Northwestern’s Aidan Hubbard tries to deal with him during the first half Saturday.

(Michael Hickey / Getty Images)

After wanting lifeless for the first 3½ quarters, UCLA acquired a big jolt when vast receiver Kwazi Gilmer beat his man and snagged a 29-yard landing go from Iamaleava in the back of the end zone. Iamaleava’s go to Woods on the two-point conversion pulled the Bruins to within 17-14 with 6:19 left.

Northwestern tried to burn as a lot clock as potential but had to punt after Bruins defensive lineman A.J. Fuimaono batted down a third-down go.

UCLA’s protection had supplied a enormous enhance earlier in the fourth quarter after Northwestern (2-2, 1-1) had a first and purpose at the Bruins’ three-yard line. Two runs had been stuffed and a Preston Stone go was tipped and practically intercepted.

Northwestern then lined up for a 20-yard field-goal attempt that would have given it a two-touchdown lead, only for UCLA’s Rodrick Pleasant to block the kick.

“We’re just fighting,” Pleasant said of the protection’s late-game mindset. “That was the biggest thing — just to fight. We all we got, and we’re all we need. So let’s fight out there and know what we need to do.”

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava scrambles against Northwestern in the second half Saturday.

(Michael Hickey / Getty Images)

UCLA suffered a setback early in the second half on a play that was appallingly unhealthy. After the Bruins dedicated a false start, edge rusher Kechaun Bennett was called for roughing the passer and concentrating on, main to his ejection.

For a fourth consecutive sport, UCLA fell behind by double digits after Northwestern scored on its first three possessions to take a 17-0 lead.

“The message in the room is to start fast,” Iamaleava said, “and we’re not doing that at a high level.”

UCLA failed to stop the run, giving up 7.5 yards per carry in the first half to two working backs who opened the season as backups before starter Cam Porter went down with a leg injury. Komolafe met so little resistance that he fumbled a pitch and was in a position to rating untouched on a nine-yard landing run.

The Bruins confirmed they had been equally unhealthy in go coverage, giving up an all-too-easy 10-yard landing go from Stone to vast receiver Griffin Wilde that put the Wildcats up by three scores.

UCLA highlights in the first half had been scarce. Edge rusher Anthony Jones made a sack. When it appeared as if UCLA was set to punt, Thomas took a direct snap and ran for 12 yards and a first down. The Bruins also shortly marched downfield on their closing drive of the first half, which ended in Mateen Bhaghani’s 28-yard discipline purpose that put them on the board.

Bhaghani added another discipline purpose in the third quarter, making him seven for seven in 2025, and he might make a compelling case as the crew’s most beneficial participant a third of the best way through the season.

The most important development this week could possibly be taking roll. Players have reached the four-game threshold that would enable them to redshirt and protect another season of eligibility. They’re also still nicely within the 30-day switch portal window that opened after Foster’s firing.

Looming is a sport against No. 3 Penn State at the Rose Bowl next weekend and a remaining schedule in which the Bruins could possibly be underdogs every week.

None of that mattered Saturday night as they confronted a long, deflating flight home.

“It really does sting,” Skipper said of the latest loss, “but like I told those guys, man, you’ve got to keep your head up — I mean, we’re going to be in the fight every single game, all right?”