Following its first winless three game start since 2019, UCLA football (0-3) will head to Evanston, Illinois, on Saturday to open conference play against Northwestern (1-2, 0-1 Big Ten). Facing off for the seventh time, the matchup at Martin Stadium on the banks of Lake Michigan marks a significant opportunity for both squads to establish an identity as Big Ten schedules start to takeoff.

Northwestern’s Offense:
Offensive scheme: Spread
Run-pass percentage: 54% Run, 46% Pass
Strength: Rushing attack
Weakness: Turnovers
X-factor: WR Griffin Wilde

In 2024, Northwestern’s offense generated the Big Ten’s lowest yards per game and second least points per game, forcing the Wildcats to go deep into the portal. The Wildcats signed nine new offensive players to supplement their three returning starters, equipping second-year offensive coordinator Zach Lujan with the tools needed to execute his balanced offensive attack.

However, three games into the 2025 season, Lujan’s offense has once again struggled to establish a strong identity, averaging 19.7 points per game and just 8.5 points against FBS opponents.

Signs of offensive struggles were seen early. Northwestern opened the season with a 23-3 loss to Tulane, a contest in which the Wildcats failed to score a touchdown while surrendering the football five times.

And after bouncing back with a 42-7 win against FCS side Western Illinois, the Wildcats’ offense floundered in a 34-14 loss to then-No. 4 Oregon and converted on a mere 27% of third downs.

Identified as Northwestern’s premier transfer recruit in the 2025 cycle, former SMU quarterback Preston Stone has struggled so far in his first season in Evanston, throwing twice as many interceptions as touchdowns and registering a 14.3 QBR, the worst among FBS starting signal-callers.

This level of play from Stone is uncharacteristic for a quarterback who threw 28 passing touchdowns and led the American Conference with a 161.3 passing efficiency alongside 15.5 yards per completion in his last full season as SMU’s starter in 2023.

As a true pocket passer, Stone’s ability to generate offense has been hindered by his inability to scramble under pressure. Stone tends to seek receivers rather than breaking the pocket to gain yards with his feet, a trait that leads to poor decision-making with the football and contributed to four of his passes ending up in the hands of Tulane defenders during his Northwestern debut.

Lujan has tailored his offense to focus primarily on the ground game in response to this inability to move the ball effectively through the air, reducing the frequency of Stone’s passing attempts from 36 against Tulane to a mere 21 against Oregon.

With running back Cam Porter out for the rest of the season due to a leg injury, the Wildcats have turned to running back Caleb Komolafe. The new tailback has already surpassed his 2024 rushing yard tally, registering 150 yards on the ground through three games.

Running behind a revamped offensive line anchored by 6-foot-7 and NFL prospect left tackle Caleb Tiernan, the Katy, Texas local has seen his carries steadily increase throughout the season, including 16 touches and a rushing touchdown against the Ducks.

Stone’s two interceptions against Oregon – and the UCLA defense allowing 244 rushing yards per game – make it safe to assume that Lujan’s increased focus on the run game will continue on Saturday with utilization of Komolafe alongside two other capable running backs in Joseph Himon II and Dashun Reeder, whose lone carry against the Ducks yielded a 79 yard rushing touchdown.

However, Saturday could mark a turning point for Northwestern’s air attack.

Wide receiver Griffin Wilde – who won an FCS national championship with the Jackrabbits under then-offensive coordinator Lujan – has emerged as his quarterback’s most reliable target, representing nearly 30% of all of Stone’s completions and registering a team-leading 213 receiving yards. He has become the first Wildcat to lead the team in receiving yards in each of their first three games since 2016.

If Stone is able to take better care of the football while relying on Wilde through the air, Northwestern can take advantage of a less experienced UCLA secondary that has surrendered seven passing touchdowns in its three losses of 2025.

Expect the Wildcats to lean heavily on their developing rushing attack on early downs to put Stone – and Wilde as a primary passing target on high-percentage middle or underneath patterns – in more manageable third-down situations against a weak Bruin defensive front.

While the Wildcats have not shown to be incredibly formidable with the football in 2025, their depth at running back will challenge UCLA’s regressed run defense in the unit’s first game without defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe.

Northwestern’s Defense:
Defensive scheme: 4-2-5
Strength: Defensive line
Weakness: Secondary depth
X-factor: DL Aidan Hubbard

UCLA enters Saturday with the second-worst scoring offense among Power conference teams, and Northwestern’s defense will provide a stout test for a struggling offensive unit.

Led by second-year defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle, Northwestern held an Oregon offense that was averaging 568 yards per game through its first two games to just 373 total yards of offense.

UCLA’s difficulty running the ball and keeping a clean pocket for redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be further tested by McGarigle’s unit which will find unique ways to challenge the Bruins’ offensive line, including four-man line stunts and five-man pressures from a variety of personnels.

The biggest piece of McGarigle’s defense is the defensive line room, a unit that features NFL prospect edge rusher Anto Saka. The junior from Baltimore, Maryland, utilizes athleticism and explosiveness to generate pressure on the quarterback, primarily from a five-technique alignment outside the tackles.

Despite not registering significant statistics in the 2025 campaign, Saka is one of many athletes on the defensive line who will challenge the Bruins’ offense as an every-down rusher.

Representing another anchor up front is defensive lineman Aidan Hubbard, who will be a key player for the Wildcats Saturday.

Hubbard registered a team-leading six sacks in 2024 and has been able to find success from multiple alignments in McGarigle’s scheme, including from a three technique outside the guards and a five technique outside the tackles – even dropping into zone coverage on third and long.

While the Bruins likely have their hands full up front, the Northwestern secondary should provide UCLA offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri space to throw the ball downfield.

The Wildcats’ secondary lost four starters – including safety Devin Turner who departed for Baylor. Relying heavily on the transfer portal to fill the secondary’s gaps, Northwestern lacks the depth of corners and safeties with Big Ten game experience.

Despite Northwestern’s offensive struggles throughout 2025, its defense has kept it competitive in every contest this year, including against a top-ranked Oregon offense. While Saturday’s game has been identified as UCLA’s best chance for a conference win this year, the Wildcats will certainly put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd.