UCLA Stuns Nebraska in Lincoln, 27-20

© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten Conference) were looking for their sixth win for third consecutive week when they took on the UCLA Bruins (3-5, 2-4) in Lincoln, Neb., on Nov. 2. Unfortunately for Nebraska fans everywhere, the Huskers were stunned by the Bruins, falling by a final score of 27-20.

Why UCLA Won the Game

The UCLA Bruins were the laughing stock of the college football world, following head coach Deshaun Foster's poor showing at Big Ten Media Days. While their season got off to a rough start, they have now two wins in a row, on the road, against Big Ten opponents. No matter who you are or who you are playing, that is tough to do in the Big Ten. Quarterback Ethan Garbers was impressive all day long for the Bruins getting things done with both his arm and his legs. Anytime UCLA needed a big play to keep a drive alive, it felt as if Garbers made it happen every time. UCLA looked and played as if they had a detailed book on exactly how to beat Nebraska, and that's exactly what they did.

Why Nebraska Lost the Game

Nebraska has been seeking the ever-elusive six plus win season since 2016, and Saturday's game versus the UCLA Bruins seemed to be their best remaining chance on the schedule to earn that sixth win. However, Nebraska had their work cut out for them and more in this one as the Bruins dominated the Huskers from start to finish. Poor play-calling, poor execution and everything in between seemed to be on display from the Huskers.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola played the worst game of his young college career, going 14-of-27 for 177 yards. To make things even worse for Nebraska, Raiola was also injured on the second-to-last drive of the game, taking a big hit. The offense struggled mightily all day long, seeming as if they hadn't played a game together all season. On the defensive side of the ball, while better than the offense, the Blackshirts still struggled to get stops in big spots multiple times throughout the game.

What's Next?

UCLA will be back in action at 9 p.m. EST on Nov. 8 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif., as they take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (5-3, 3-2). The Bruins will be in for a tough game against a Hawkeyes team who always plays well in November (19-1 in November since 2019), but will look to shock the world once again.

Nebraska will enjoy a very well-timed bye week this coming weekend, before preparing for a game against the other team from Los Angeles, the USC Trojans (4-4, 2-4), on Nov. 16. It will be imperative for the Huskers to get things right over the next two weeks as they prepare for the final stretch of their schedule, still looking for that bowl eligibility.