The Indiana Hoosiers and the UCLA Bruins are two of the most talked-about teams in College Football, but for entirely different reasons. After Indiana gave coach Curt Cignetti a lucrative, 8-year contract extension worth more than $90 million, the Hoosiers are preparing to host a revitalized UCLA team under interim head coach Tim Skipper this weekend.
The Bruins’ season has been a tale of two halves. After firing DeShaun Foster following a dismal 0-3 start, the team’s fortunes have completely turned around. Under Skipper, UCLA is undefeated in its last three games, a surge led mainly by quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
How Did a “Banged Up” Nico Iamaleava Lead a Game-Winning Drive?
During a tense, 20-17 walk-off win against Maryland, the UCLA quarterback suffered what looked like a serious injury. He returned on the next drive with only 30 seconds remaining and orchestrated a game-winning drive. Skipper shared his perspective on the dramatic moment on “Bruin Insider.”
“Nico’s down on the ground, and I go out there, and he’s yelling as loud as I’ve ever heard anyone while on the ground. He was banged up,” the interim head coach explained. “And he got up, walked off, and went to the tent, came right back out there and stood in the pocket and threw that ball, while not at 100%. Just a warrior, just a stud to just do that.”
In those final 30 seconds, Iamaleava kept the drive alive. After connecting on two big passes to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, a 35-yard rush from Anthony Frias II moved the Bruins into field goal range. They kicked a 23-yard field goal to continue their unbeaten run.
That kind of toughness gets everyone fired up. “And then, that instills confidence in your receivers, your ball carriers. All the guys, our leader’s here, we’re gonna make this happen,” Skipper continued. “To see it happen, man, that’s just awesome.”
The admiration between player and coach is clearly mutual. “Yes, sir. He (Tim Skipper) is a great guy to have in the building. He brings great energy, man, and he’s somebody you wanna play for. I love coach Skip,” Iamaleava shared following the game against Michigan State two weeks ago.
This turnaround is a sharp contrast to Iamaleava’s rough start to the season under Foster. The Tennessee transfer was ranked as the 78th-best quarterback by ESPN QBR heading into the game against Penn State.
However, against the Nittany Lions, the quarterback had the best game of his career, rushing for 128 yards and three touchdowns while throwing for 166 yards. According to PFSN’s weekly QB rankings, he was the sixth-best quarterback nationally that week.
MORE: Nico Iamaleava’s Turnaround Credited to $355,000 UCLA Asset as ‘Messy’ Tennessee Memories Return
According to PFN’s QB impact rating, the UCLA quarterback is now listed as the 42nd overall nationally. With an impact score of 80.2, Iamaleava has thrown for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, and five interceptions.
While Skipper has played a massive role in sparking Iamaleava’s revival, offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel is also a considerable factor. Neuheisel was promoted to be UCLA’s active offensive coordinator just days before the game against Penn State.
At just 33 years old, Neuheisel is seen as one of the coaches with the highest potential in College Football. In just one season, the UCLA offensive coordinator has gone from Tight Ends coach to Assistant Head Coach and now to offensive coordinator.
While the playoffs seem out of UCLA’s reach, the clash with the Hoosiers is a significant game for Neuheisel and Skipper. With a victory against the nation’s No. 2-ranked team, they would make a real case to stay with UCLA permanently.
