Northwestern Secures 17-14 Win Over UCLA in Coach Skipper's Debut

The UCLA women's volleyball team started Big Ten play strong, achieving a 2-0 conference record by beating Ohio State and upsetting national champions Penn State, demonstrating resilience and strong defense. In contrast, the UCLA football team has struggled under interim head coach Tim Skipper, dropping its first conference game 17-14 to Northwestern, despite a late second-half surge led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The Bruins football team faces significant challenges, including issues with protection, run defense, and penalties, with their defense ranked near the bottom nationally. Northwestern's defense is strong up front, but their offense has been turnover-prone, offering UCLA an opportunity to capitalize if they improve execution. UCLA's football team aims to leverage red-zone efficiency and reduce turnovers to secure their first win, as they face a tough Big Ten schedule ahead. Both UCLA teams are at pivotal points, with volleyball showing promising growth and football seeking cohesion and victories under new leadership.