Familiar flaws hold back the Bruins

You can change the coach and quicken the pace of practice, but one thing can’t be transformed.

- BY BEN BOLCH

JUSTIN CASTERLINE Getty Images

NO. 23 ILLINOIS' David Olano (24) celebrates after kicking the winning field goal against No. 21 USC in the game's last seconds at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

It’s always going to be the same team.

UCLA showed some fight late in its Big Ten Conference opener Saturday afternoon at Martin Stadium while ultimately falling victim to the same problems that had plagued it before the dismissal of coach DeShaun Foster.

An incredibly slow start in which it fell behind by multiple scores.

An offense that can’t run the ball or consistently sustain drives.

A defense that can’t stop the run or prevent big plays.

The Bruins are officially on 0-12 watch after completing what was supposed to be the soft part of their schedule with a 17-14 loss to Northwestern.

The finish left UCLA with heartache by the lake.

The Bruins (0-4 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) were in position to tie the score or take the lead after stopping Northwestern on three consecutive plays, including a third-down sack by defensive lineman Gary Smith III that helped the Bruins get the ball back at their own 20-yard line with 1:29 left after a punt.