WATCH: Tim Skipper looks ahead to UCLA-USC rivalry showdown
Tim Skipper has had his share of memories facing UCLA and USC as a Fresno State alum, but Saturday’s season finale at the Coliseum as the Bruins’ interim head coach will be his first experience immersed in the battle for Los Angeles.
Skipper, who will coach his ninth and likely final game for UCLA since taking over for DeShaun Foster in mid-September, said in his weekly Zoom conference call Monday morning that the crosstown rivalry was something he paid attention to while growing up.
“As a kid, I always watched the UCLA-USC game, like it always mattered where we lived,” Skipper said. “I was coming from a coaching family so we moved around a little bit, but that game is very significant.”
Skipper said a team made up more than 50 transfers was educated in Sunday’s team meeting on the Victory Bell and all the hoopla surrounding USC week.
“I wanted to make sure everybody knew how significant this game was and how both teams wear their own colors for the game and you get to paint the Victory Bell and all of that stuff,” Skipper said. “Just ready to get the week going and take this all in and it’s awesome to finally be part of this thing. You watch it so much — I’ve never been to one of these games — and to be able to work it and coach it is going to be awesome and I’m just looking forward to that.”
Injury updates
Skipper said quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who exited Saturday’s loss to Washington after a sack and blow to the helmet in the third quarter, is among the players listed as “day to day.” Skipper said Iamaleava is dealing with neck spasms after getting “tackled funny.”
“It didn’t calm down enough for him to get back into the game and right now we are still kind of waiting,” Skipper said. “He’s doing all of his rehab stuff today and we’ll see where he is.”
Others listed as day to day include tight ends Hudson Habermehl (concussion) and Jack Pedersen (high ankle) and wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. (calf).
Meanwhile, cornerback Rodrick Pleasant, who did not play against the Huskies after not practicing all week, will also be out against the Trojans. Skipper said Pleasant is undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery Monday.
Tim Skipper Zoom media availability (11/24)
Watch the full press conference below (courtesy of UCLA Athletics):
