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.

Tim Skipper took the reins of the Bruins (0-3 overall) after DeShaun Foster was fired on the heels of a 35-10 loss to New Mexico on Sept. 12.

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.

"We went bowling," Skipper said. "To get in a fun atmosphere and still be competing. That was the whole thought behind it."

UCLA hopes to find its stride against the Wildcats (1-2, 0-1), who also are coming off a bye week.

Northwestern stumbled to a 34-14 home loss to then-No. 4 Oregon on Sept. 13, struggling to find stability on offense after losin

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