Mistake-prone start drops UCLA to 0-4 in first game after coaching change
At one point in the first half, the UCLA defense watched Northwestern running back Caleb Komolafe drop a handoff and still get into end zone.
A sign of just how bad things continue to be for the Bruins? Komolafe did so while remaining untouched.
Another scoreless first quarter, more penalties along the offensive line and a defense that was dared to stop anyone were all part of a familiar early script. UCLA, in its first game under interim head coach Tim Skipper after an idle week that featured two coaching changes, opened Big Ten play with a 17-14 loss to Northwestern at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Ill.
UCLA (0-4, 0-1 Big Ten) shut out Northwestern after halftime, but a 14-point deficit at the break was too much to overcome. The Bruins, who are now 0-4 for the first time since 2018, generated 311 yards of total offense and produced just one touchdown in eight drives. They still have yet to hold a lead this season through 16 quarters.
Northwestern (2-2, 1-1 Big Ten) finished a yard shy of 200 yards rushing. Komolafe ran for 119 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.
Turning point of the game
Northwestern scored on all three of its first-half drives and led 17-3 at halftime. All that UCLA could muster was a 28-yard field goal from kicker Mateen Bhaghani as time expired.
The Bruins finally forced a punt on the Wildcats’ opening drive of the second half. In the process, though, UCLA edge rusher Kechaun Bennett was flagged for roughing the passer. It was upgraded to targeting, which disqualified Bennett for the remainder of the game and for the first half of next week’s home contest against third-ranked Penn State.
On the ensuing drive, UCLA marched down to the Northwestern 7-yard line but again settled for a Bhaghani field goal to pull within 17-6 with 2:48 left in the third quarter. Iamaleava was unable to connect with Kwazi Gilmer, with the Wildcats’ secondary batting away the previous pass to the end zone.
Northwestern answered with a drive that lasted nearly 10 minutes. However, the Bruins’ run defense stopped the Wildcats on the 2. Then, UCLA cornerback Rodrick Pleasant swooped in for a blocked field goal with 7:48 to play.
The special teams play sparked the Bruins, who needed just four plays to march 80 yards. Iamaleava found a leaping Gilmer for a 29-yard touchdown in traffic. Running back Anthony Woods then caught Iamaleava’s pass for a two-point conversion, pulling UCLA within 17-14 at the 6:29 mark.
The UCLA defense continued the momentum, quickly forcing a punt with 3:16 remaining.
However, much like the Bruins’ Week 2 loss at UNLV, the rally fizzled and no true go-ahead scoring threat materialized.
UCLA running back Jaivian Thomas was knocked back for a 2-yard loss on a run before pulling in a 4-yard reception. Iamaleava’s contested third-down pass to wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. down the left sideline fell incomplete, leading to a punt that Northwestern muffed — but out of bounds — with 1:55 left.
The Bruins then forced one more stop after defensive tackle Gary Smith III’s sack on third down.
After a punt, UCLA took over with 1:29 left. Iamaleava ran for 4 yards and then completed a 9-yard pass to tight end Hudson Habermehl to open the final drive, but a sack and a false start on left tackle Courtland Ford set the Bruins back.
On its own 21, UCLA only mustered an 11-yard Habermehl reception as time expired.
UCLA postgame press conference
Courtesy of UCLA Athletics:
UCLA standout on offense: QB Nico Iamaleava
Among the questions coming into the contest, and really the remainder of the season, was who would show up and fight.
Iamaleava was one of the few bright spots. He took big hits, had little protection and continued to try to extend plays with his legs. Some runs even ended with the 6-foot-6 redshirt sophomore vaulting himself into Northwestern defenders, seeking out the contact. Effort was not lacking.
For a player whose in-season future in Westwood has been wildly speculated about, Iamaleava did not look like a player mailing his performance in.
Iamaleava was 19-of-27 passing for 180 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He also ran for a team-high 65 yards on 14 carries.
UCLA standout on defense: CB Rodrick Pleasant
It wasn’t actually his defense, but the blocked field goal on special teams that gave the Bruins life late.
Pleasant made five tackles and was credited with a partial tackle for a loss.
Why UCLA lost
All of the same issues showed up, and it only took the opening two possessions. False starts on the offensive line, holes in the run defense and another first-quarter goose egg showed that the previous week off did little to change the Bruins’ fortunes. It all goes back to the trenches.
UCLA had possession for just 4 minutes, 25 seconds through two drives.
Through one half, Northwestern averaged 11.6 yards per completion and 6.8 yards per rushing attempt. The Wildcats used up nine minutes on their first drive that ended in a field goal and then quickly forced a three-and-out on defense.
Offensively, Skipper attempted to spark the Bruins after two lackluster drives. A fake punt led to a Thomas run for a first down, but things stalled out on a turnover on downs at the Northwestern 36. Iamaleava was sacked on the same play right tackle Reuben Unije was called for a false start.
The Bruins racked up six penalties for 60 yards.
