What Tim Skipper Said After UCLA’s Stunning Upset of Penn State

UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper delivered an emotional and detailed postgame press conference after the Bruins’ shocking 42-37 win over No. 7 Penn State on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. It was his first victory since taking over as interim coach, and he used the moment to praise his staff and players for staying together through a turbulent stretch.

Skipper highlighted the aggressive mindset that fueled the win, praised quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s leadership, and explained several gutsy coaching calls — including an onside kick and a late-game intentional safety. His remarks showed a mix of tactical preparation and motivational leadership that helped UCLA topple one of the nation’s top teams.

Skipper Breaks Down UCLA’s Offensive Plan and Aggressive Strategy

One of the biggest takeaways from Skipper’s comments was how quickly new offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel installed a fresh game plan. Skipper praised Neuheisel for blending existing concepts with new wrinkles on short notice. “We wanted to control the time of possession and slow things down. The plan worked to a T,” Skipper said. He noted that Neuheisel used every hour up to kickoff to prepare the offense.

The Bruins surprised Penn State with bold play-calling, including a perfectly executed onside kick. Skipper revealed it was the product of two years of film study, identifying a vulnerability in Penn State’s return team. “We practiced that thing just this week… and it worked to a charm,” he said, underscoring UCLA’s commitment to attacking with calculated risks rather than reckless gambles.

Skipper also shared why the team deliberately took a safety late in the fourth quarter to manage the clock and field position. He explained that giving up two points was worth flipping the field and limiting Penn State’s offensive options in the final seconds. “It worked amazingly — something we have been practicing for a while,” he said.

Nico Iamaleava Praised as a True Leader

The interim coach spent time praising quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who played a decisive role in the win. “Big-time players make big-time plays,” Skipper said. He highlighted Iamaleava’s ability to extend plays with his legs when receivers were covered, calling him the emotional leader of the team. The quarterback’s mobility helped UCLA’s run-heavy approach succeed against Penn State’s strong defensive front.

Running the ball was an emphasis all week, Skipper explained, and it paid off as the Bruins kept control of the game. “It doesn’t matter who’s doing it — we have a lot of guys who can control the line of scrimmage,” he said.

Defensive Response and Locker Room Energy

On defense, Skipper stressed how important it was to start fast — something he said was missing in earlier games. The Bruins changed practice routines to spark early energy, going “good on good” during the week. The defense held Penn State to just seven first-half points and came up with crucial late-game stops, including a fourth-down stand and handling the Nittany Lions’ final lateral attempts.

Inside the locker room, the mood was electric. “A disaster,” Skipper joked, describing water flying everywhere and players and coaches dancing after weeks of disappointment. He emphasized that the team stayed united through adversity and will need to keep blocking out distractions as the season continues.

The win marks a turning point for UCLA under Tim Skipper. His aggressive approach, belief in his players, and calm under pressure fueled one of the biggest upsets of the season — and could redefine the Bruins’ identity moving forward.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What did Tim Skipper say after beating Penn State?

He praised his team’s unity, credited Jerry Neuheisel for quick offensive prep, and explained bold plays like the onside kick and intentional safety.

Q2: Why did UCLA take a safety late in the game?

Skipper said it was to run time off the clock and flip field position, limiting Penn State’s offensive options.

Q3: How did Jerry Neuheisel impact the win?

He installed a tailored offense in a short week, mixing old and new plays to control the game and keep Penn State off balance.

Q4: What did Skipper say about Nico Iamaleava?

He called him a “big-time player” who creates explosive plays, leads the team, and thrives under pressure.

Q5: How did UCLA prepare for Penn State’s kickoff unit?

Skipper said the staff studied film for two years, finding a tendency they exploited for the successful onside kick.