The UCLA Bruins went into their Week 5 matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats, looking to right the ship in some way, shape, or form. Former Bruins head coach Deshaun Foster has been relieved, and it was do to the Bruins' poor start. Unfortunately, the blows keep coming.
To begin the game, the Bruins would fall behind to the Wildcats, as they would grab an early lead, 3-0. While the game was still fresh, Bruins fans made their presence known right away on social media, especially since UCLA had once again fallen behind their opponent.
At least there was no touchdown. #UCLA #Bruins
— Leo Sopicki (@LeoOfMars) September 27, 2025
After One:
— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) September 27, 2025
Northwestern 3, UCLA 0
Not much different for the Bruins in Evanston.
The Bruins looked to respond quickly to their opponents putting points on the board, and they did, but it only came in the form of adding three points, whereas the Wildcats would score 14 in the second quarter, bringing the score to 17-3 at halftime.
Don't hate UCLA going for it on fourth and three. But an illegal formation and a sack ends the drive for UCLA without any points.
— Northwestern, We an Everything School (@RiseNU) September 27, 2025
This Bruins team is R O U G H.
10-0 NU, 6:19 2nd
Nothing pretty for UCLA. Northwestern's Caleb Komolafe *fumbled* the ball before getting downhill at will, rushing 9 yards for a Wildcats TD.
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) September 27, 2025
Bruins are scoreless through ~18 minutes of action and is averaging 2.6 yards per carry.
Wilde & Preston Stone are having a field day with the UCLA Bruins
— Conley Island (@aaryn_j) September 27, 2025
Northwestern goes up 17-0 on UCLA with three minutes to play in the second quarter.
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) September 27, 2025
No part of this Bruins team looks improved today against the Wildcats. Preston Stone is up to 104 yds and Joseph Himon II has 11.4 yards per rush.
Going into the second half of the game, the Bruins knew it would be now or never to put some points on the board and to climb back into the ballgame. The defense showed up in the entire second half, keeping the Wildcats scoreless in their comeback battle.
However, as the Bruins' season has gone, the uphill battle has become too much for the franchise to hold onto. In the third quarter, UCLA scored another three points to push the score to 17-6.
UCLA is facing 4th and 7 and will go for another FG.
— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) September 27, 2025
It's good from 25 yards. Kicker Mateen Bhgahani is now the Bruins' points leader this season with 25 overall.
Northwestern 17, UCLA 6. 2:48 left in the 3rd. https://t.co/Ez9nyq54Qc
4Q (7:48): A 9-minute, 52-second Northwestern drive ends in a blocked field goal by UCLA cornerback Rodrick Pleasant.
— BruinBlitz (On3 | Rivals) (@UCLAOn3) September 27, 2025
Bruins trail 17-6, looking for any sort of spark.
The Bruins kept their comeback going by adding more points, trying to chip away, giving their faithful fans anything to root for. In the fourth quarter, the Bruins defense continued to do its job, as the time kept ticking away.
UCLA TOUCHDOWN. Bruins down 17-12 with 6:19 on the clock.
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) September 27, 2025
What a catch by Kwazi Gilmer. But he’s on the ground and appears to have been injured.
Can’t believe Northwestern let UCLA back in this. Had 1st & goal at the 3 with chance to go up 17 and an instant later, Bruins are a touchdown away from taking the lead.
— Steve Helwick (@s_helwick) September 27, 2025
This Bruins crew may be looked down upon after the firing of their head coach, but with the program looking to get on the right side of things for the first time this season, you could see the fight they brought.
Scoring eight points in the fourth quarter, the Bruins still fell short of the comeback. But if this shows anything, it's that this program won't sit still and let other teams roll by if they have anything to do with it.
The Bruins fell short at the end of the day, with the final score of 17-14, a loss the Bruins can learn from.
If positives exist for an 0-4 team, with not much room to fall below the rock bottom UCLA has already hit, the Bruins shutout Northwestern in the second half.
— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) September 27, 2025
Kevin Coyle, who Tim Skipper brought in this week to help on defense, called defensive plays today. https://t.co/8NORo3HZSf
FINAL: Northwestern 17, UCLA 14
— BruinBlitz (On3 | Rivals) (@UCLAOn3) September 27, 2025
The Bruins shut the Wildcats out in the second half, but the offense fizzled late.
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