⚡ CFB Dashboard

UCLA coach Bob Chesney pushed back on a suggestion that Nico was being held out Tuesday: he said the QB participated in team periods and was fine. Chesney described the extra hip work as a longer warm-up, not a newly disclosed injury or a confirmed practice restriction.

Chesney highlighted Purdue RB Fame Ijeboi's balance, contact strength and ability to catch out of the backfield. UCLA is stressing low tackling posture and solid contact because Chesney does not expect arm tackles to work; that is an opponent-specific preparation concern, not a projected rushing total.

UCLA is giving defensive-end and tight-end upbacks repeated kickoff-fielding work to prepare for high short kicks and squibs after successful returns. Chesney said players get roughly seven to 10 repetitions on Tuesdays and Thursdays; he clarified these were not offensive linemen becoming the main returners.

Chesney said UCLA self-scouts individual pre-snap tells as well as formations and signals, including tackle sets and receiver habits. The staff can use screens, draws or play-action counters when tendencies cannot be fully removed; he did not identify a specific current UCLA tell or disclose a new Purdue game-plan call.