UCLA's Top 3 Key Offensive Players vs. Penn State

Let's take a look at which Bruins need to have an impact on offense against Penn State.

Sep 21, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. (1) runs with the ball against LSU Tigers cornerback Ashton Stamps (1) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The UCLA Bruins (0-4, 0-1 Big Ten) need a win perhaps more than any school in college football.

Winless through four games and three coaches down, Westwood is unraveling, but interim head coach Tim Skipper is still trying to rally the troops ahead of their Rose Bowl matchup against the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten).

The Bruins' offense has struggled to materialize any early momentum in each of its four games. Following the departure of offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, UCLA may be in an even deeper hole going through yet another coaching transition.

Ahead of Saturday's clash, let's dive into the Bruins' most important offensive players against the Nittany Lions.

---

1. Jerry Neuheisel, Offensive Play-Caller

Dec 16, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver coach Jerry Neuheisel celebrates a victory after defeating the Boise State Broncos in the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Out goes Sunseri, in comes Neuheisel. The Bruins' tight ends coach will be calling plays, as appointed by Tim Skipper.

If the former UCLA quarterback can, somehow, capture some early offensive energy that Sunseri was never able to, then the Bruins may be looking up.

Then again, Penn State is a huge first test for the aspiring UCLA coach.

Skipper detailed what he's seen from Neuheisel at practice during Wednesday's media availability.

"I don't want to get too technical, we gotta play this game here Saturday," Skipper said. "But a lot of energy. Just getting the ball to the playmakers. That's the big thing, and trying to be creative doing it. But he coaches with a lot of energy and passion. You can hear him out there, and he's directing traffic.

"So, just like the quarterback that he was, pretty natural for him and I'm excited to watch it go. I don't want to get into particulars of what exactly we're doing, but he's doing a good job."

2. Nico Iamaleava, QB

Sep 27, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

This marks five straight games Iamaleava is on this list. It's not just because he is uber-important to UCLA's offensive success (or lack thereof), it's also because he simply hasn't been good enough.

Iamaleava has done all he can with the surrounding pieces around him, but he's not blameless. Penn State, one of the nation's best defenses, will be the signal-caller's toughest test of the season.

Should Bruins fans show him grace just this week, or is Iamaleava far beyond that point?

3. Rico Flores Jr., WR

Sep 21, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. (1) reacts after making a first down against LSU Tigers cornerback Ashton Stamps (1) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Flores made his long-awaited return to the field against Northwestern last week, and he did great.

The Bruins desperately needed another playmaker that Iamaleava could target. He finished as one of UCLA's leading receivers, catching four passes for 43 yards, and made impactful snags throughout various drives.

Which brings him to this list for the first time all season. Flores and Kwazi Gilmer are as good a one-two receiving punch as Iamaleava is going to have all season.

Look for Flores to continue impacting the offense moving forward.

Make sure to bookmark UCLA Bruins On SI to get all your daily UCLA Bruins news, analysis and more!

Read more on UCLA football and their second season in the Big Ten here. While you're here, check out all things UCLA basketball and Mick Cronin improving the Bruins through the transfer portal here.

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @UCLAInsideronSI and @cmorenoNBA to keep up with every story surrounding UCLA athletics!

Please let us know your thoughts on this when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.