Express Opponent View: UCLA

Purdue heads west looking for its first Big Ten win and Power Four victory since 2023.

The Boilermakers (1-1) will be a double-digit underdog when they travel to UCLA (2-2) for this Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 11 p.m. ET (BTN).

GoldandBlack.com spoke to former UCLA quarterback Wayne Cook (1991-94)–who is part of the school’s radio broadcast team–to learn more about the Bruins.

Q: What can we expect from the UCLA offense?

Cook: First of all, it’s much improved. We get a little bit under 250 yards a game (245.5, No. 2 in Big Ten) rushing the ball. Wayne Knight, a transfer from JMU, is electric. He’s got six touchdowns through two games (168 yards, 8.0 ypc). But don’t sleep on Anthony Woods (148 yards, 9.3 ypc) and Jett Thomas (73, 6.1 ypc), they’re both great backs. Offensive line play is much improved. Our pass game, as of right now, has not been quite what we want it to be. I think we’ve had some beat up receivers. Nico Iamaleava hasn’t hit his stride quite yet (335 yards passing, 64 percent completion, 0 TD pass, 2 INTs). We’ve had a couple of red zone turnovers that have been costly, but we still ended up winning (won at Cal 45-24 and vs. San Diego State 28-10). But the team is running the football very well.

Q: What can we expect from the Bruin defense?

Cook: They’re doing a great job. Remember, both (OC) Dean Kennedy and (DC) Colin Hitschler have come over with Bob Chesney from James Madison, and this defense is very aggressive. We’ve got a transfer from Oklahoma in Sammy Omosigho that’s been pretty much unstoppable. And number 10, you’ll notice him right away. He has been all over the field, and then a player that’s been here for a long time in Jalen Woods, the other inside linebacker. Those two guys are lighting it up. Other than that, we’ve got a much better pass rush. I think that’s something that last year we were one of the worst at that in the entire country. A lot of guys in the rotation. And then I love our our corners. Scooter Jackson and Rodrick Pleasant have speed and athleticism, and they’ve been very, very good. San Diego State only threw for 45 yards last week, so they’re doing a pretty good job in the secondary. (Opponents are completing only 49 percent of their passes.) So, it’s a much improved team in general, both offensively and defensively.

Q: How do you see this game unfolding?

Cook: Cal won at Syracuse right after they played us. So, they’re a much improved team. We’re going to learn a lot because I think Purdue is a lot better than they’ve been. I have a lot of respect for the way they’re able to throw the ball and run the ball, and the way they’re playing. I do like UCLA in this game. I kind of agree that they should win this. But the one caveat I’ll throw in there is UCLA needs to improve its passing because everybody’s going to try to stop our run. Nico’s got great legs (86 yards rushing, 3.9 ypc), but if we don’t get a little bit better throwing … I still think we win, but I think it’s going to be a good game, and I do think Purdue will will show up. It’s a bummer that it’s so late for all the Purdue fans to have to stay up till two or 3 o’clock in the morning to watch this one. But it’ll be worth it. I think it’s going to be a good game.