Picture this: a college football team that started the season without a single victory, only to rise like a phoenix and crush rivals in the Big Ten Conference. That's the jaw-dropping turnaround story of UCLA, proving they're anything but a fleeting sensation! But here's where it gets controversial: is this revival thanks to brilliant coaching, or could it spark debates about how quickly fortunes can change in the cutthroat world of college sports? Stick around to discover the details that most fans might overlook, like the quirky motivational tricks and the sheer joy that's reignited this squad.
In East Lansing, Michigan, as UCLA players boarded the team plane, each found a simple sheet of paper waiting in their seat. Printed boldly were six words posing a direct challenge from their interim coach: 'ARE YOU A ONE-HIT WONDER?'
Just seven days after their thrilling upset of Penn State, the Bruins delivered a resounding response: Absolutely not! They had plenty more magic left in the tank—a massive victory, no less.
Building on their explosive debut under a temporary coaching setup, UCLA solidified its remarkable evolution from a winless outfit to... a Big Ten powerhouse? A potential College Football Playoff contender? The sports comeback tale of the year? There's seemingly no ceiling for what this group could achieve, as evidenced by their dominant 38-13 triumph over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium on Saturday.
(For those new to college football, the Big Ten is one of the most prestigious conferences, featuring top programs like Ohio State and Michigan, where teams battle fiercely for national recognition. This win against Michigan State, a traditional powerhouse, highlights just how far UCLA has come.)
Led by offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel, UCLA's attack amassed 38 straight points after the Spartans kicked off with an early touchdown. The Bruins, now 2-4 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten, outscored Michigan State (3-3, 0-3 in conference play) in a way that showcased their newfound momentum.
On defense, overseen by acting coordinator Kevin Coyle, the team forced a fumble, shut down all four fourth-down attempts by the Spartans, and limited them to just 253 yards of total offense. Michigan State's quarterback, Aidan Chiles, exited the game early in the third quarter after a brutal collision with UCLA's defensive tackle, Keanu Williams—a play that underscored the physical intensity of the matchup.
At the helm was interim coach Tim Skipper, whose leadership has infused the team with an energy and focus absent under previous coach DeShaun Foster. That plane note was just one example of his creative motivation tactics aimed at reviving a dormant squad.
'It was merely a gentle nudge, nothing more,' Skipper explained. 'Like Santa Claus—you don't always know how the gifts appear, but they do.'
Skipper's success has even positioned him as a stronger candidate for UCLA's permanent head coaching job compared to Michigan State's Jonathan Smith, a local Pasadena favorite who's been floated in early rumors. And this is the part most people miss: How did a team that began 0-4 transform so dramatically?
'In my view,' Skipper said, 'I've tuned out the past and focused solely on our daily improvement. That's my mission—getting better each day, without distractions.'
The Bruins' performance was so impressive that UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond approached a reporter in the press box late in the third quarter to chat about the staff changes that ignited this rebirth. He emphasized how different this group is from the Foster era, when wins were nonexistent.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava captured the shift perfectly, noting that players have reclaimed their passion for the game.
'I believe it's about tapping into those childhood memories of playing football when we were kids, just going out and enjoying it,' Iamaleava shared after throwing for 180 yards and three touchdowns. 'We were tense during the first four games, but now we're loosening up and playing for the fun of it.'
UCLA's offense, once stagnant and struggling to hit double-digit points, is now firing on all cylinders. For instance, in their first four games under Neuheisel's play-calling, they scored 57 points—just 9 fewer than the 66 they racked up in this one game and a half against Michigan State.
A standout emerged Saturday: running back Jalen Berger, who rushed for a career-high 89 yards and scored three touchdowns against his old team—two via receptions and one on the ground. Iamaleava, not needing to carry the load with his legs (he ran just six times for three yards), was spot-on passing, completing 16 of 24 throws without a turnover.
'The schemes Coach Jerry has designed put us in prime spots to succeed,' Iamaleava added. 'Our offensive line is clearing paths for the run, and our receivers are finding openings brilliantly. Everything is syncing up.'
(UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava celebrates with wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer during the first half Saturday against Michigan State. Raj Mehta / Getty Images)
The defense, aggressive and structured, snuffed out Michigan State after that initial touchdown, forcing another fumble and keeping the Spartans in check.
Even special teams contributed, with punter Cole Martin replicating a trick play from their Northwestern game. Early in the second quarter, Martin took the snap and dashed 20 yards for a first down—echoing his fake punt success two weeks prior, but this time heading the opposite direction.
'So alike,' Skipper noted, 'yet flipped—identical setup, just reversed.'
The deception paid off, leading to Iamaleava's three-yard touchdown pass to Berger, and later, a 12-yard score to wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala after a Chiles fumble recovered by defensive tackle Siale Taupaki at the 32-yard line.
The only missed opportunity came on a late-second-quarter field goal by Mateen Bhaghani that bounced off the upright, but UCLA still piled on 24 unanswered points, turning halftime into a 24-7 lead that had Spartan fans booing their team into the break—hardly the festive homecoming atmosphere they'd hoped for.
Punter Cole Martin highlighted the team's unity as the key ingredient.
'The greatest aspect is our locker room bond,' Martin said. 'We've stuck together through thick and thin, never abandoning each other. That's what matters most—knowing we've got each other's backs no matter what.'
Just as they stunned the nation a week ago, the Bruins were once again the headlines after this victory.
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And here's where the controversy really heats up: Is Skipper's interim magic sustainable long-term, or are fans right to question if this is just a short-lived burst? Could the team's joy translate to playoff glory, or is this a case of overhyping a comeback? What do you think—does UCLA deserve the hype, or is it time to pump the brakes? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own take on this rollercoaster season!
