Ohio State Dominates UCLA 48-10, Says Head Coach Tim Skipper
Ohio State University showcased its dominance against UCLA, winning decisively with a score of 48-10. This game, held at Ohio Stadium, marked a tough challenge for the Bruins and their interim head coach, Tim Skipper.
Ohio State vs. UCLA: Game Overview
The matchup highlighted the issues faced by UCLA, who entered with a 3-3 record under Skipper. Despite the setback, Skipper acknowledged his team’s resilience, particularly in the second half when they scored all their points. “The energy levels were good in the locker room. The guys fought hard against the number one team in the country,” Skipper emphasized.
Key Moments from the Game
- First Half Dominance: Ohio State took a commanding lead early, leaving UCLA struggling to catch up.
- Lorenzo Styles Jr.’s Historic Play: The highlight for Ohio State came from Styles, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown. This marked the first kickoff return touchdown for the Buckeyes since 2010.
- Kicking Coverage Issues: Skipper criticized his team’s kick coverage, noting a failure to recognize blocks that allowed Styles an open path. “We didn’t do a good job of that,” he remarked.
Quarterback Situation for UCLA
UCLA faced another hurdle with the late ruling of starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava being out due to a concussion. Redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan stepped in for his first career start against a formidable opponent.
“Iamaleava went into concussion protocol and couldn’t clear it in time,” Skipper explained. Duncan performed commendably, passing for 154 yards and achieving a touchdown while completing 70% of his attempts.
Looking Ahead
Despite the defeat, Skipper expressed pride in Duncan’s performance. “He never blinked an eye and just kept moving forward,” he added. Looking forward, Ohio State continues its season, preparing to host Rutgers for their next game on November 22, 2023, with the kickoff set for noon and coverage on FOX.
As both teams move forward, UCLA will aim to learn from this experience, while Ohio State looks to maintain its momentum through the remainder of the season.
