Nov 12 min read

Nebraska Targets Win as Bruins Search for Breakthrough

Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola — © Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

As the UCLA Bruins (2-5, 1-4 Big Ten Conference) look to build on their recent success, they face the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-3, 2-3 B1G) on Nov. 2 at 2:30 p.m. EST at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. This matchup, airing on the Big Ten Network, features a UCLA team striving for respectability after a long losing streak while Nebraska aims to solidify its growth as a program.

What's at Stake

For Nebraska, a win under head coach Matt Rhule would secure bowl eligibility and signify a step forward for the program by surpassing last year’s total of five wins. Respectability is at stake for head coach DeShaun Foster and UCLA. After snapping their five-game losing streak with a win against Rutgers, the Bruins are fighting to restore their season's footing. A victory over Nebraska would be a meaningful step toward that goal.

Key Players: Nebraska

Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola will need to prioritize ball security to keep UCLA’s offense off the field. Limiting turnovers is crucial as the Bruins are coming off their best offensive performance of the season, where they scored a season-high 35 points. Defensively, junior linebacker Malcolm Hartzog leads a tough Cornhuskers unit that will focus on slowing down a UCLA squad newly energized by last week’s success. Nebraska’s defense must be sharp to maintain control and contain the Bruins' offensive momentum.

Key Players: UCLA

Senior QB Ethan Garbers will need to deliver in both the passing and running games, much like he did last week, for the Bruins to secure another win on Nov. 2. Protecting the ball and minimizing turnovers will be critical to his performance.

The Bruin offense, as a whole, must step up to maintain the scoring momentum they found a week ago. Defensively, UCLA senior linebacker Carson Schwesinger will be a key leader. He’ll need to bring high energy, making key tackles and helping to stymie a Cornhuskers squad eager to sustain their offensive success.

Trends to Watch

UCLA recently broke a five-game losing streak against Rutgers, scoring 35 points—an impressive turnaround after averaging just 14 points per game in their previous 6 contests. The Bruins will look to build on this momentum as they face Nebraska. Conversely, the Cornhuskers should remain confident despite their narrow loss to Ohio State, which they only lost by 4 points. This resilience may play a crucial role in how they approach their matchup with UCLA.