UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava and interim head football coach Tim Skipper may not win a game all year. The Bruins had one of their best chances against the NU Wildcats from Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Saturday, but lost 17-10 in Evanston, Illinois, being unable to complete their double-digit comeback in the fourth quarter.
Northwestern spoiled Skipper’s debut nearly two weeks after DeShaun Foster was fired from the program for a 35-10 loss to the New Mexico Lobos in Week 3. Can you really spoil something that may never have a happy moment, though?
The rest of UCLA’s season will prove that one way or another. USA Today’s Matthew Glenesk wonders if the Bruins will be able to win a game for the rest of the season.
UCLA plays the Penn State Nittany Lions, Michigan State Spartans, Maryland Terrapins, Indiana Hoosiers, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Washington Huskies, and USC Trojans the rest of the way.
“It kind of feels like piling on at this point, but Saturday was probably UCLA's best chance at getting a win this year. And hey, the Bruins (0-4) actually covered, so if you want to take solace in that, go for it. The Bruins spotted Northwestern a 17-0 lead, but managed to chip away, got within 17-14 and had two chances with the ball to take the lead. But Nico Iamaleava and Co. managed just three yards on their last two drives, resigning the Bruins to defeat in interim coach Tim Skipper's debut. Up next? An angry Penn State,” Glenesk wrote.
In every sense, the 2025 season is a lost cause in Westwood. The Bruins have been dead on arrival after landing Iamaleava in April from the transfer portal in an NIL signing that may have influenced a rule change to transfer windows.
UCLA’s next full-time head coach will need to reimagine what the program is. It’s hard to see Tino Sunseri retaining his job as offensive coordinator or Iamaleava getting the same payday. Iamaleava could be prone to a Group of 5 school overpaying to get more exposure.
It’s not an easy job. Chip Kelly left it for an offensive coordinator role. But someone’s got to do it. We’ll see who soon enough.