WATCH: Dana Holgorsen, John Butler + players break down USC loss, preview UCLA
Nebraska football, once again, is looking to pick up the pieces, reflect and regroup after a disappointing loss and before what has become a more-difficult-than-expected matchup.
UCLA Week is here.
The Huskers (6-3 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) will travel to face the UCLA Bruins (3-5, 3-2) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California (8 p.m. CT kickoff Saturday on FOX) for a conference battle.
All of the hope and potential for a run to the College Football Playoff has been washed away following the Huskers’ 21-17 home loss to USC over the weekend.
So, too, is the momentum Nebraska had built over the first half – and two-thirds – of the season.
Year 3 of the Matt Rhule Era – the most important of his tenure thus far as the Nebraska head coach – began with a crucial season-opening win over Big 12 opponent Cincinnati in Week 1 (20-17) before back-to-back blowout wins against overmatched opponents from the MAC (68-0 over Akron) and the FCS (59-7 over Houston Christian.
Then, the Huskers took their 3-0 record into conference play, jumped out to a 2-1 mark with a disappointing home loss to Michigan (30-27) preceding wins over Michigan State at home (38-27) and Maryland on the road (34-31), and then an even more disheartening loss at Minnesota came by way of a 24-6 downer.
Nebraska avoided disaster against Northwestern, showed resolve and locked down a 28-21 win to set up the most pivotal game of the Huskers’ season against the Trojans. Nebraska, in what was a de facto CFP elimination game, came out firing and held a 14-6 lead before the game flipped on a dime.
Dylan Raiola’s season-ending injury halted the Huskers’ momentum in the third quarter, and USC took over to end Rhule and Company’s playoff aspirations.
Still, there is plenty to play for over the last three regular-season games in Year 3 of the Rhule Era – like the program’s first 9-3 season since 2016, or even an 8-4 finish for the first time since 2013.
Achieving that goal begins this weekend at UCLA, where the Huskers will need to fight the diversity of being without the starting quarterback who had guided them to a 13-8 record over the previous 21 games and had them in position for their biggest win of Rhule’s tenure early in the second half.
RELATED:
>> Dylan Raiola out for the season with injury
>> The Checkdown: USC’s counter runs, Nebraska run blockers’ best day?
Ahead of their next Big Ten battle, the Huskers held their latest media availability inside Hawks Championship Center on Tuesday to preview the upcoming matchup with the Bruins.
Watch and listen to the Tuesday press conference videos below with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen reflecting on the loss to USC, Raiola’s injury and what the offense could look like under Lateef. Plus, defensive coordinator John Butler and Nebraska wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr., tight end Luke Lindenmeyer, offensive lineman Henry Lutovsky, defensive lineman Keona Davis and safety DeShon Singleton all take the stage.
This week’s press conference videos are also available to watch for free on the Inside Nebraska YouTube channel.
Nebraska OC Dana Holgorsen
Husker DC John Butler
Nebraska WR Jacory Barney Jr.
Husker TE Luke Lindenmeyer
Nebraska OL Henry Lutovsky
Husker DL Keona Davis
Nebraska DeShon Singleton
MORE CONTENT FROM INSIDE NEBRASKA:
>> Trust, belief and support: Nebraska, Matt Rhule rallying around QB TJ Lateef
>> Rhule on Nebraska’s defense vs. USC, six plays accounting for 107 of USC’s 337 total yards