Tim Skipper’s UCLA Debut Spoiled by Northwestern’s 17-14 Win

Northwestern vs UCLA: Wildcats Spoil Tim Skipper’s Debut with Gritty 17-14 Victory.Northwestern secured a hard-fought 17-14 win over UCLA on Saturday. The game marked the debut of interim Bruins coach Tim Skipper. The Wildcats built an early lead and then held off a late UCLA surge. The victory gives Northwestern its first conference win this season.

Northwestern vs UCLA: A Tale of Two Halves

Northwestern dominated the first half at Ryan Field. They scored on their first three possessions. Caleb Komolafe was a driving force, rushing for 119 yards and a touchdown.The Wildcats’ offense broke through for several big plays. Preston Stone threw for 115 yards and a score. Griffin Wilde was a key target, catching seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. According to Associated Press game data, Northwestern took a commanding 17-0 lead into halftime.UCLA’s offense struggled initially under its new leadership. The team appeared to still be adjusting after Tim Skipper took over on September 14. The Bruins failed to score in the first two quarters.

Bruins’ Second-Half Rally Falls Short

UCLA found its rhythm after halftime. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava led the charge. He threw for 180 yards and rushed for a team-high 65 yards.The Bruins finally got on the board with two field goals from Mateen Bhagani. Iamaleava then connected with Kwazi Gilmer for a 29-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. A successful two-point conversion cut the deficit to just three points.Northwestern’s defense ultimately held firm. They made critical stops in the red zone, forcing UCLA to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. A key pass breakup in the end zone by Adeyi with under three minutes left in the third quarter was a pivotal moment.

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The Wildcats’ early offensive explosion proved just enough to secure the win, spoiling Tim Skipper’s debut and handing UCLA another frustrating loss.

Thought you’d like to know-

Who is UCLA’s interim head coach?

Tim Skipper is the interim head coach for UCLA. He took over on September 14 following the firing of DeShaun Foster. This game was his first in charge of the program.

How did Northwestern build its early lead?

Northwestern scored on its first three possessions of the game. They executed big plays both on the ground and through the air. This allowed them to build a 17-0 lead by halftime.

Who were the standout players for Northwestern?

Caleb Komolafe rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Preston Stone threw for 115 yards and a score. Receiver Griffin Wilde had 98 receiving yards and a touchdown.

What was the final score and yardage total?

Northwestern won the game 17-14. The Wildcats barely edged UCLA in total yards, finishing with 314 yards to the Bruins’ 311. The game was much closer than the first-half score indicated.

What’s next for both teams?

UCLA faces a tough challenge hosting No. 3 Penn State next Saturday. Northwestern will host Louisiana-Monroe in their next matchup as they look to build momentum.