(Photo credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images)UCLA enters its Big Ten opener against Northwestern on Saturday afternoon in Evanston, Ill., behind an interim coach eager to help the program recharge and reset. One of Skipper's first moves during the team's ensuing bye week aimed to create camaraderie in the locker room by venturing outside of it. UCLA hopes to find its stride against the Wildcats (1-2, 0-1), who also are coming off a bye week. The Bruins' new interim coach, Skipper, has experience with guiding programs in transition. He was acting head coach for Fresno State during a New Mexico Bowl victory following the 2023 season and became interim coach in 2024, leading the Bulldogs to another bowl berth.