WATCH: UCLA players and coaches reflect on 42-37 win over No. 7 Penn State
UCLA is on the board. The Bruins secured an impressive 42-37 win over No. Penn State on Saturday. The victory secured the team’s first win of the season. UCLA led wire to wire in a game in which it earned its first lead of the season.
The Bruins stunned the Nittany Lions early Saturday at the Rose Bowl, and controlled the action throughout the afternoon.
The end result was the first victory for interim head coach Tim Skipper. New offensive playcaller Jerry Neuheisel was the story of the game. His offensive produced 435 yards and five total touchdowns at the Rose Bowl.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava accounted for all five scores for the Bruins. It took all three phases of the team for the Bruins to secure the victory and hold off Penn State.
UCLA earned a much-needed positive moment Saturday after weeks of uncertainty and disappointment.
“It was exciting to be in there,” Skipper said of the locker room atmosphere following the win. “It has been some Saturdays after games that have been kind of lonely and sad. This will be the first Sunday we have where we kind of celebrate a little bit and enjoy a victory.”
UCLA coaches Tim Skipper and Jerry Neuheisel postgame press conference (10/4)
Neuheisel was the story of the afternoon. The former UCLA quarterback was promoted earlier in the week to be the offensive playcaller. He replaced offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri midweek. It didn’t leave much time for Neuheisel to install his offense. That didn’t matter as the Bruins were clicking on that side of the ball like they haven’t at any point this season.
“First thing I want to say is, I love UCLA more than anything,” he said. “The kind of kids that you see that played on that field today is exactly why you love a place like this. We had two days to practice the new game plan, and all they did was believe.”
UCLA players postgame press conference (10/4)
Iameleava received plenty of praise from the coaches and his teammates Saturday. The Tennessee transfer had his best day at UCLA and finished with 166 yards passing and 128 yards rushing. He scored five total touchdowns in the victory.
It was revealed that he sent a challenge to his teammates earlier in the week following the Bruins’ decision to part ways with Sunseri.
“It was just a lot of outside noise coming into it,” he said. “I was just preaching to the guys that if you all don’t want to be here, leave man. I was basically telling that guys that whoever still believes that we’re still in this. Man, we still got games ahead of us that we can go win. Let’s roll.”
