UCLA vs. Fresno State: Five things to watch in the season finale

Kelly Skipper coached DeShaun Foster at UCLA.

Jim Skipper coached Foster with the Carolina Panthers.

Tim Skipper would love to teach Foster a thing or two in the Rose Bowl.

It’s nothing personal, it’s just that being recognized as part of the family only goes so far in circumstances like these. A win over Foster’s Bruins on Saturday afternoon could land Tim Skipper a permanent job.

After being named interim coach before the season when Jeff Tedford resigned for health reasons, Skipper has led the Bulldogs to a 6-5 record and bowl eligibility. Fresno State recorded its best win of the season last weekend when it handed Colorado State its first loss in the Mountain West Conference.

The last time Skipper faced Foster on this field, Foster prevailed. Foster ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns in UCLA’s 24-21 victory over Fresno State in September 2000. Skipper, a Bulldogs midfielder, made one tackle for loss that day.

Since then, because of their family ties, there have only been handshakes and hugs. Kelly Skipper, who was Foster’s running backs coach with the Bruins, said he still calls Foster to get his opinions on the West Coast running backs. Jim Skipper, who was Foster’s running backs coach with the Panthers, has a photo of Foster jumping into the end zone during Super Bowl XXXVIII in what he referred to as “my little man cave” at his home in Gilbert, Arizona .

Jim Skipper called this week to deliver some bad news: He’s not coming to the game.

“I think it’s just a little too emotional, you know, you have his son and then his godson on the other side,” Foster said with a laugh. “He wished me luck and I’m sure he told Tim the same thing.”

Before the season, Jim Skipper called the match “a win-win situation.” … It’s going to be a thrill, I know that.”

Here are five things to keep an eye on when the Bruins (4-7) take on the Bulldogs in a game televised by the Big Ten Network at 12:30 p.m. PST: