Tim Skipper
Photo by: Isabella Serafini
Skipper Selected National Coach of the Week by Dodd Trophy, Bear Bryant Awards
October 07, 2025 | Football
UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper has earned a pair of National Coach of the Week honors after leading UCLA to a 42-37 upset victory over then-No. 7 Penn State last Saturday, as he was recognized by both the Dodd Trophy and Bear Bryant Awards.
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The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity. Meanwhile, the Bear Bryant Awards recognizes a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory.
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The result marked UCLA's first win at home over a team ranked inside the AP top-10 since 2007, and was the Bruins' first win of any kind over an AP top-10 squad since 2010.
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In addition, it was the first time since 1985, and just the fifth time ever, that an 0-4 (or worse) team defeated a top-10 opponent.
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UCLA, which scored on each of its first five possessions en route to a 27-7 halftime lead, outgained Penn State by a margin of 435-357 in total offense, including a season-high 269 yards on the ground. It was the most points allowed and the most rushing yards allowed by the Nittany Lions in a regular season game since 2022.
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Several game management decisions played a key part in the victory, including a successfully-recovered onside kick following the Bruins' game-opening touchdown drive, and an intentional safety in the final minute of the contest.
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UCLA redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava was the x-factor in the contest, earning a slew of awards โ including AP National Player of the Week and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week โ after accounting for five touchdowns and 294 yards of total offense. With three scores on the ground, Iamaleava tied a program record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, and his 128 rushing yards were the most by a Bruin signal-caller since Brett Hundley in 2014.
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UCLA returns to action this Saturday, Oct. 11, traveling to Michigan State for a 9 a.m. PT contest. The Big Ten Network will televise the first-ever league meeting between the Bruins and Spartans.
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Tickets to Home Games at the Rose Bowl
Various ticket packages, including season, mini-plan and single-game tickets, for the Bruins' inaugural Big Ten season are now available. Fans can clickย HEREย or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via emailย at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information on personalized ticket options.
Sign up for UCLA Athletics emailsย HEREย to stay up-to-date on inside information, ticket deals and more.
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About the Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank was established in 1976 to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field. The award honors the coach of a team which enjoys a successful football season, while also stressing the importance of academic excellence and character, as did Coach Dodd's teams during his 22 years as head football coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Coach Dodd remains one of college football's legendary figures, both as a coach and a player. Coach Dodd was a native of Galax, Virginia, and played his college ball at the University of Tennessee where his team had 27 wins, one loss and two ties during the three years he played. Coach Dodd was selected to the National College Football Hall of Fame both as a coach and as a player. Additional information about the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation can be found at www.TheDoddTrophy.com. For news, updates and insider information, follow us on Twitter at @DoddTrophy or find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DoddTrophy.
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About the Bear Bryant Awards
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant's legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
ย
Continuing through the remainder of the regular season, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards will recognize a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The National Coach of the Week award is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
ย
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity. Meanwhile, the Bear Bryant Awards recognizes a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory.
ย
The result marked UCLA's first win at home over a team ranked inside the AP top-10 since 2007, and was the Bruins' first win of any kind over an AP top-10 squad since 2010.
ย
In addition, it was the first time since 1985, and just the fifth time ever, that an 0-4 (or worse) team defeated a top-10 opponent.
ย
UCLA, which scored on each of its first five possessions en route to a 27-7 halftime lead, outgained Penn State by a margin of 435-357 in total offense, including a season-high 269 yards on the ground. It was the most points allowed and the most rushing yards allowed by the Nittany Lions in a regular season game since 2022.
ย
Several game management decisions played a key part in the victory, including a successfully-recovered onside kick following the Bruins' game-opening touchdown drive, and an intentional safety in the final minute of the contest.
ย
UCLA redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava was the x-factor in the contest, earning a slew of awards โ including AP National Player of the Week and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week โ after accounting for five touchdowns and 294 yards of total offense. With three scores on the ground, Iamaleava tied a program record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, and his 128 rushing yards were the most by a Bruin signal-caller since Brett Hundley in 2014.
ย
UCLA returns to action this Saturday, Oct. 11, traveling to Michigan State for a 9 a.m. PT contest. The Big Ten Network will televise the first-ever league meeting between the Bruins and Spartans.
ย
Tickets to Home Games at the Rose Bowl
Various ticket packages, including season, mini-plan and single-game tickets, for the Bruins' inaugural Big Ten season are now available. Fans can clickย HEREย or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via emailย at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information on personalized ticket options.
Sign up for UCLA Athletics emailsย HEREย to stay up-to-date on inside information, ticket deals and more.
ย
About the Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank was established in 1976 to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field. The award honors the coach of a team which enjoys a successful football season, while also stressing the importance of academic excellence and character, as did Coach Dodd's teams during his 22 years as head football coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Coach Dodd remains one of college football's legendary figures, both as a coach and a player. Coach Dodd was a native of Galax, Virginia, and played his college ball at the University of Tennessee where his team had 27 wins, one loss and two ties during the three years he played. Coach Dodd was selected to the National College Football Hall of Fame both as a coach and as a player. Additional information about the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation can be found at www.TheDoddTrophy.com. For news, updates and insider information, follow us on Twitter at @DoddTrophy or find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DoddTrophy.
ย
About the Bear Bryant Awards
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant's legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
ย
Continuing through the remainder of the regular season, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards will recognize a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The National Coach of the Week award is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
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