EVANSTON, Unwell. — You possibly can change the coach and quicken the tempo of apply, however one factor can’t be remodeled.
It’s all the time going to be the identical crew.
UCLA confirmed some battle late in its Huge Ten Convention opener Saturday afternoon at Martin Stadium whereas finally falling sufferer to the identical issues that had plagued it earlier than the dismissal of coach DeShaun Foster.
An extremely gradual begin during which it fell behind by a number of scores.
An offense that may’t run the ball or persistently maintain drives.
A protection that may’t cease the run or forestall massive performs.
The Bruins are formally on 0-12 watch after finishing what was imagined to be the gentle a part of their schedule with a 17-14 loss to Northwestern.
The end left UCLA with heartache by the lake.
The Bruins (0-4 total, 0-1 Huge Ten) had been in place to tie the rating or take the lead after stopping Northwestern on three consecutive performs, together with a third-down sack by defensive lineman Gary Smith III that helped the Bruins get the ball again at their very own 20-yard line with 1:29 left after a punt.
However an enormous sack of quarterback Nico Iamaleava by Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka was adopted by a false begin on offensive deal with Courtland Ford, leaving solely eight seconds left and the Bruins nonetheless deep in their very own territory.
“In crucial moments we had penalties,” Iamaleava mentioned, “so it’s getting to a degree the place I’m repeating myself each week.”
Iamaleava accomplished an 11-yard go to Hudson Habermehl earlier than the clock ran out on the Bruins’ comeback hopes throughout Tim Skipper’s debut as interim coach.
“How that sport went, man, I’m pleased with the fellows for combating and ending,” Skipper mentioned. “We have to begin loads higher.”
Iamaleava was as soon as once more virtually the one factor going for UCLA’s offense. He accomplished 19 of 27 passes for 180 yards and a landing whereas additionally working for a team-high 65 yards in 14 carries.
Maybe the one upside to this loss was that the Bruins didn’t hand over.
After wanting lifeless for the primary 3½ quarters, UCLA acquired an enormous jolt when huge receiver Kwazi Gilmer beat his man and snagged a 29-yard landing go from Iamaleava behind the top zone. Iamaleava’s go to Anthony Woods on the two-point conversion pulled the Bruins to inside 17-14 with 6:19 left.
UCLA’s Anthony Woods carries the ball as Northwestern’s Aidan Hubbard tries to deal with him in the course of the first half Saturday.
(Michael Hickey / Getty Photos)
Northwestern tried to burn as a lot clock as potential however needed to punt after Bruins defensive lineman A.J. Fuimaono batted down a third-down go.
UCLA’s protection had offered an enormous enhance earlier within the fourth quarter after Northwestern (2-2, 1-1) had a primary and aim on the Bruins’ three-yard line. Two runs had been stuffed and a Preston Stone go was tipped and almost intercepted.
Northwestern then lined up for a 20-yard field-goal try that will have given it a two-touchdown lead, just for UCLA’s Rodrick Nice to dam the kick.
UCLA suffered a setback early within the second half on a play that was appallingly unhealthy. After the Bruins dedicated a false begin, edge rusher Kechaun Bennett was known as for roughing the passer and concentrating on, resulting in his ejection.
For a fourth consecutive sport, UCLA fell behind by double digits after Northwestern scored on its first three possessions to take a 17-0 lead.
The addition of Kevin Coyle to the Bruins’ teaching workers after the departure of defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe made little distinction as the identical issues arose.
UCLA did not cease the run, giving up 7.5 yards per carry to 2 working backs who opened the season as backups earlier than starter Cam Porter went down with a leg harm. Northwestern’s Caleb Komolafe met so little resistance that he fumbled a pitch and was capable of rating untouched on a nine-yard landing run.
The Bruins confirmed they had been equally unhealthy in go protection, giving up an all-too-easy 10-yard landing go from Stone to huge receiver Griffin Wilde that put the Wildcats up 17-0.
UCLA highlights within the first half had been scarce. Edge rusher Anthony Jones made a sack. When it appeared as if UCLA was set to punt, Jaivian Thomas took a direct snap and ran for 12 yards and a primary down. The Bruins additionally rapidly marched downfield on their last drive of the primary half, which resulted in Mateen Bhaghani’s 28-yard subject aim that put them on the board.
