WATCH: UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper previews injury-riddled Nebraska
UCLA had the benefit of getting some rest, while Nebraska will head to the Rose Bowl this weekend with a handful of key injuries.
Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola is out for the season after suffering a right leg injury in a 21-17 loss to then-No. 23 USC over the weekend.
“That’s definitely going to change some things,” UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper said Monday in his weekly Zoom conference call with the media.
Meanwhile, Nebraska also lost right tackle Gunnar Gottula for the season and left tackle Elijah Pritchett is dealing with an ankle injury.
So, the Bruins will look to pressure freshman quarterback and Southern California native TJ Lateef, who will be making his first collegiate start.
“Kind of an unknown as far as actual reps, but there are reps from this season that we’ve seen on film,” Skipper said.
UCLA getting healthy
The Bruins were without running back Anthony Woods and left guard Eugene Brooks in the previous loss at No. 2 Indiana.
Skipper said having last week off “hit at the right time.”
“As you’re seeing around the country, whether it’s college or pros, a lot of people are getting hurt right now, it’s just how football goes,” Skipper said. “The season gets long and that body starts wearing down. Knock on wood and lucky for us, we’re relatively pretty healthy. We practiced yesterday, so everybody was there, everybody was ready to roll, so I feel good about where we are as far as health goes.”
Watch the full video below courtesy of UCLA Athletics:
