News Summary
The Northwestern Wildcats secured their first conference win of the season, defeating the UCLA Bruins 17-14. Key performances included Caleb Komolafe rushing for 119 yards and Preston Stone throwing for a touchdown. Despite a strong second half from UCLA, led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava, they failed to complete a comeback, marking their fourth straight loss. The victory improves Northwestern’s record to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten, while UCLA remains winless at 0-4.
Evanston, Illinois – The Northwestern Wildcats secured a much-needed victory on Saturday, defeating the UCLA Bruins 17-14. This win marks Northwestern’s first conference victory of the season, improving their record to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. In contrast, the loss extends UCLA’s winless streak to four games, dropping their record to 0-4 and 0-1 in conference play.
Northwestern took control of the game early, establishing a 17-0 lead after scoring on their initial three possessions. Caleb Komolafe was a key player for the Wildcats, rushing for 119 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries. Backup quarterback Preston Stone contributed to the success as he completed 12 of 18 passes for 115 yards, resulting in one touchdown pass. Stone connected with Griffin Wilde, who recorded 98 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
The Wildcats totaled 314 yards of offense, slightly outgaining UCLA’s 311 yards. UCLA’s offensive struggle continued as they entered halftime scoreless, but a resurgence in the second half saw them attempt to stage a comeback. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava tallied 180 passing yards and led the Bruins in rushing with 65 yards. He threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer for 29 yards, narrowing Northwestern’s lead to 17-14.
Despite UCLA’s efforts in the second half, their attempts to take the lead proved unsuccessful, marking the fourth consecutive game this season where they failed to gain an advantage. Mateen Bhagani managed field goals of 28 and 25 yards for the Bruins, but they could not close the gap further.
Northwestern’s defense, led by Robert Fitzgerald with nine tackles, played a crucial role by stopping UCLA’s offensive calls, while Ore Adeyi made a vital pass breakup in the end zone that helped maintain the Wildcats’ slender lead.
Head coach David Braun expressed pride in his team’s ability to maintain their composure during UCLA’s rally attempt. The Wildcats were looking to rebound from their previous performances, and this win is particularly significant given that starting running back Cam Porter is sidelined for the season due to injury, emphasizing the importance of Komolafe’s strong performance in his absence.
In terms of special teams, Northwestern’s Jack Olsen added a 33-yard field goal, contributing to the team’s early scoring. Meanwhile, UCLA’s interim head coach Tim Skipper continues to seek his first win since taking over the program following the dismissal of former coach DeShaun Foster.
Looking ahead, UCLA faces a challenging schedule that includes matchups against ranked teams, increasing the pressure on the team to improve their performance and secure their first victory of the season.
In summary, Northwestern achieved a pivotal victory against UCLA, propelled by strong individual performances and a cohesive team effort, while the Bruins must evaluate their strategies as they search for their first win in a tough upcoming series of games.
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Additional Resources
- UCLA Wire: UCLA Football Falls to Northwestern
- Google Search: UCLA Football
- ESPN: Game Recap – Northwestern vs. UCLA
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Northwestern Wildcats Football
- Inside NU: Stock Up, Stock Down from Northwestern’s Win over UCLA
- Google News: Northwestern Wildcats
- Knox News: Nico Iamaleava Stats
- Google Scholar: Nico Iamaleava
- Bleacher Report: Nico Iamaleava Disappoints Fans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Sports Illustrated: Bold Observations on UCLA vs. Northwestern
- Google Search: Tim Skipper UCLA
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
