UCLA Shatters Doubts: From Zero Wins to Big Ten Beast in Stunning Michigan State Thrashing – Los Angeles Times
Imagine a football team that couldn't win a single game all season, then suddenly flips the script to dominate one of the Big Ten's toughest squads. That's not just a comeback—it's a fairy tale in cleats! But here's where it gets controversial: Is this UCLA squad's revival a fluke, or the start of something legendary that could shake up college football's power rankings?
EAST LANSING, Mich.—Picture this: As each UCLA player boarded the team plane, a simple sheet of paper awaited them in their seats. Scrawled in bold, uppercase letters were six pointed words from their interim coach—a direct challenge: “ARE YOU A ONE-HIT WONDER?”
Just seven days after their shocking upset of Penn State, the Bruins were ready to respond with thunder. Absolutely not! They had more magic left in the tank. And what a show they put on.
In a sequel as electrifying as its blockbuster opener under a patchwork coaching crew, UCLA kept building on their improbable rebirth—from a squad with no victories to ... a Big Ten heavyweight? A candidate for the College Football Playoff? The feel-good sports story of the year? The sky seems to be the limit for this group, especially after their jaw-dropping 38-13 win over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium on Saturday.
(Raj Mehta / Getty Images)
Fueled by offensive strategist Jerry Neuheisel's playbook, UCLA's attack machine racked up 38 straight points after giving the Spartans an early touchdown lead. The Bruins, now sitting at 2-4 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten, left the Spartans (3-3, 0-3) in the dust.
On the defensive side, under the guidance of interim coordinator Kevin Coyle, the team forced a fumble, shut down every fourth-down try by Michigan State, and capped their total offense at just 253 yards. Even Spartan quarterback Aidan Chiles had to exit early in the third quarter after a brutal sack from defensive tackle Keanu Williams—a hit that spun him out of the game.
At the helm of it all was interim head coach Tim Skipper, injecting the squad with an energy and purpose that had vanished during DeShaun Foster's tenure. That note on the plane? Just one of his clever tactics to jolt a dormant roster back to life. For beginners in football coaching, think of Skipper's approach as a motivational reboot: simple, fun reminders to remind players why they fell in love with the game, turning a listless group into a unified force.
“It was merely a gentle nudge, nothing more,” Skipper explained. “Like Santa's gifts appearing mysteriously— you don't question the how, just enjoy the surprise.”
Now, Skipper might even outshine Michigan State's own Jonathan Smith—a Pasadena local often rumored for UCLA's vacant head coaching spot—on the hiring lists. And this is the part most people miss: How did the same team that opened 0-4 transform so drastically?
“In my view,” Skipper shared, “I've tuned out the past and focused solely on the present, watching us improve daily. That's the mission—get better each day, no distractions.”
The Bruins were firing on all cylinders, so much so that UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond approached a Times reporter in the press box late in the third quarter to chat about the staffing shifts that ignited this resurgence. No argument here: This is a whole new beast compared to the winless version under Foster.
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava highlighted how joy returned to the locker room. “It's about tapping into those innocent days playing ball as kids, just having a blast out there,” he said post-game, after tossing for 180 yards and three touchdowns. “We were too tense in those first four games; now, we're letting loose and playing like it's recess.”
For newcomers to football analysis, this shift in mindset is crucial—teams thrive when players rediscover fun, leading to better performances, much like how a stressed-out worker might excel after a relaxing hobby.
Gone are the days of UCLA struggling to hit double-digit points; their offense is now a well-oiled machine. Saturday saw a new hero emerge in running back Jalen Berger, who dashed for three touchdowns and a personal-best 89 yards against his old team—one on the ground and two through the air.
Even without relying on his speed, as the team amassed 238 rushing yards, Iamaleava was spot-on with his passes: 16 of 24 completions, zero interceptions, and just six carries for three yards. By halftime, trailing 24-7, UCLA had piled up more points in a game and a half under Neuheisel's calls (66) than in their entire first four contests (57).
“The schemes Coach Jerry's laying out are brilliant, setting us up perfectly for success,” Iamaleava noted. “Our offensive line is crushing it in the run game, and receivers are shining by finding open spots.”
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava celebrates with wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer during the first half Saturday against Michigan State.
(Raj Mehta / Getty Images)
Their defense? Aggressive and relentless. They snagged another turnover and bottled up Michigan State after conceding that initial touchdown drive.
Special teams added flair too, with a familiar trick catching the Spartans off guard—similar to their Northwestern game two weeks prior. Early in the second quarter, punter Cole Martin took the snap and bolted 20 yards for a first down, a near-replica of his earlier fake.
“Pretty much identical,” Skipper chuckled, “but we flipped directions—same setup, different path.”
That deception turned into touchdowns, with Iamaleava linking up with Berger for a 3-yard score, and later hitting Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for a 12-yarder that ballooned the lead to 24-7.
Almost everything favored the Bruins, except a missed field goal by Mateen Bhaghani that bounced off the upright late in the second.
UCLA's 24 unanswered points made the halftime deficit feel insurmountable, drawing boos from Michigan State fans as they headed to the tunnels during what should've been a celebratory homecoming.
“The real highlight is our locker room unity,” Martin emphasized. “We've stuck together, never wavered, no one bailed. That's the key—knowing we'll always have each other's backs, no matter what.”
A week after rocking the college football landscape, the narrative centered on the Bruins yet again. Just when you think you've seen it all...
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But let's stir the pot a bit: Some fans argue this turnaround is thanks to Skipper's fresh energy, while others whisper it might fade if a permanent coach doesn't build on it. Could UCLA's interim success be overhyped, or is this the dawn of a dynasty? What do you think—will Skipper land the job, or is this just a temporary high? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree this is a true revival or just another college football mirage!
