UCLA Bruins at Northwestern Wildcats Game Thread

The Bruins visit Evanston today for the first time in 56 years.

(Photo Credit: uclabruins.com)

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It’s been 20 years since UCLA last played Northwestern. and it’s been 56 years since they visited the Wildcats. This afternoon’s game is the second of the Bruins three most winnable games of the season. Despite this, the Bruins are 6.5-point underdogs to Northwestern today.

Can Tim Skipper right the ship enough to lead the Bruins to a win today? Honestly, I don’t know. I’m not terribly optimistic.

Could they pull off the upset? It’s possible, just not likely. What can the Bruins do to try to win today’s game? Here are the Keys to the Game for the Bruins.

Keys to the Game

1. Score Early

Frankly, I’m not sure at this point if this is even possible, but if UCLA wants to win this game, they need to get on the scoreboard as early possible. The Bruins haven’t led at any point in any game this season. If they can actually get a lead, it would go a long towards the Bruins’ first win.

2. Put Pressure on Preston Stone

Preston Stone has been sacked six times in three games for 43 yards lost. Those sacks account for almost all of the -47 net rushing yards which Stone has. He’s also thrown six interceptions this year. So, getting pressure on Stone can really disrupt the Wildcat offense, either by sacking Stone or forcing him to throw a bad pass which gets picked off. This may be the most important thing the Bruins can do today.

3. Pound the Rock

Northwestern’s defense is allowing 5.4 yards per carry to opposing running backs while the Wildcats are only averaging 5.1 yards per carry on offense. If the Bruins stand any chance at all in this game, they need to be able to run the ball successfully.

Listen to the Game With TMB!

Today’s game is on Big Ten Network with Jeff Levering, Jake Butt, and Brooke Fletcher calling the game. If you would rather listen Josh Lewin and Matt Stevens call today’s game, you can listen to the game online while chatting in the TMB game thread. Just right click on the link and open it in another tab so you can have it playing while you chat in the comments below. That way, you can listen to Josh Lewin, Matt Stevens and Wayne Cook call today’s game.

Join your fellow Bruins discussing today’s game in the comments section below, but before you get there, here’s how to watch tonight’s game:

UCLA Football (0-3)

• Opponent: Northwestern Wildcats (1-2)

• Series Record: Tied, 3-3

• When: 12:30 pm PT, Saturday, September 27, 2025

• Where: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston, IL

• Live TV: Big Ten Network with Jeff Levering, Jake Butt, and Brooke Fletcher

• Live Stream: FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app

• Radio/Audio:
  KABC-AM 790 in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin, Matt Stevens and Wayne Cook
  Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 138 (NU Call) and SiriusXM and XM Ch. 372 (UCLA Call)

  Online: UCLABruins.com

• Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast

• Game Notes:
  UCLA
  Northwestern

• Rebroadcast (All times PT):
  Sunday, 9/28 at 8:00 pm on BTN (B1G Football in 60)
  Monday, 9/29 at 9:00 pm on BTN (B1G Football in 60)
  Tuesday, 9/30 at 3:00 am on BTN (B1G Football in 60)
  Tuesday, 9/30 at 10:30 pm on BTN (B1G Football in 60)
  Wednesday, 10/1 at 3:30 am on BTN (B1G Football in 60)
  Wednesday, 10/1 at 11:30 pm on BTN (B1G Football in 60)

Go Bruins!!!

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