Interim Coach Leads Bruins Saturday When UCLA Hosts Penn State’s First Rose Bowl Visit

UCLA will host Penn State at the Rose Bowl on Friday, Oct. 4, marking the first-ever meeting between the programs at the Pasadena venue. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (12:30 p.m. Pacific) with national coverage on CBS and local radio on KABC-AM 790.

The Bruins (0-4, 0-1 Big Ten) enter seeking their first victory under interim head coach Tim Skipper, who was named to the position Sept. 14 after DeShaun Foster was fired following an 0-3 start. The Nittany Lions (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) also seek to rebound from their Big Ten opener loss.

The matchup represents Penn State’s first visit to the Rose Bowl to face UCLA, though the teams have met seven times previously with UCLA holding a 4-3 series advantage. Penn State won the most recent meeting 27-11 last season at University Park, Pennsylvania.

Interim head coach Tim Skipper will lead UCLA for the remainder of the campaign following the dismissal of DeShaun Foster on Sept. 14. Skipper previously served as special assistant to Foster and brings head coaching experience from Fresno State, where he guided the Bulldogs to a bowl victory in 2023.

UCLA is coming off a narrow 17-14 loss to Northwestern on Sept. 27. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava led a late rally, throwing a 29-yard touchdown pass to Kwazi Gilmer and completing a two-point conversion. Iamaleava finished with 180 passing yards and 65 rushing yards, leading the team in both categories.

Defensively, linebackers Isaiah Chisom and JonJon Vaughns rank among the nation’s top tacklers, sitting third and seventh in the FBS respectively. Vaughns has posted four consecutive double-digit tackle games to start his final season. Rankings are based on NCAA statistical data.

The Bruins’ roster features 59 new players, including 37 transfers and 22 true freshmen. Iamaleava, a high-profile transfer from Tennessee, has averaged 197 passing yards per game and leads the team in rushing. He was named to five preseason watch lists, including the Maxwell Award and Polynesian Player of the Year.

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