Instant Takes: Nebraska 28, UCLA 21
Nebraska (7-3, 4-3) takes care of UCLA (3-6, 3-3) 28-21 in Pasadena, Calif. behind a strong first start from quarterback TJ Lateef. The Huskers responded well after a tough loss to USC at Memorial Stadium. They took their anger out on another Los Angeles team.
Lateef went 13-for-15 for 205 passing yards. He added 31 yards on the ground on five carries. The true freshman led four touchdown scoring drives.
Nebraska fans filled the Rose Bowl on a season-high 44,481 attendance night. An estimated over 25,000 fans wore red.
Here are three takeaways from a big-time Husker win.
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TJ Lateef’s first start is a success
Lateef will never forget his first start. The Compton, Calif. returned home to lead Nebraska at the historic Rose Bowl. The true freshman took over the offense after quarterback Dylan Raiola went down with a season-ending leg injury against USC. He looked much better during the Huskers’ offense with a week of preparation to start.
Lateef’s first drive as Nebraska’s starter was incredible. He broke free for a 14-yard run on his first play. The QB led his team on a nine-play, 61-yard drive to score a touchdown. He found Jacory Barney Jr. for a two-yard touchdown catch. He set the tone immediately and didn’t let up.
Lateef started the game 11-of-11 and didn’t have his first incomplete pass until the start of the fourth quarter. Mekhi Nelson got on hand on the short pass but couldn’t reel it in. Dane Key dropped the next pass in the drive. Key finished with 46 receiving yards on three catches.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound QB did a great job of running Nebraska’s offense efficiently. Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has preached to his players that they need to make routine plays, and the whole offense will run well. Lateef did his job as Holgorsen asked him. He mostly made quick, smart decisions and didn’t put the ball in danger.
The former four-star added a new layer to Holgorsen’s offense. If a play wasn’t developing well, he used his legs to burn the UCLA defense and gain yards. Raiola isn’t so quick to take off running. He spent more time in the pocket waiting for receivers to get open.
Emmett Johnson making serious case for All-Big Ten
Running back Emmett Johnson is making it impossible to keep him out of the All-Big Ten conversation. The junior recorded 232 all-purpose yards against UCLA with three touchdowns.
Johnson can do it all. He had 129 rushing yards on 28 carries and a one-yard touchdown. He reeled in three passes for 103 receiving yards and two scores.
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The 5-foot-11, 200-pound back had two massive touchdown catches. He turned a lateral pass 56 yards downfield for a touchdown. Offensive linemen Justin Evans and Rocco Spindler had great blocks to help Johnson into the endzone. Johnson had a 40-yard touchdown to start the third quarter and take a 28-7 lead.
Johnson’s greatest competition for First Team All-Big Ten is Rutgers’ Antwan Raymond, who had 240 rushing yards against Maryland on Saturday. Raymond and Johnson lead the conference in rushing yards and all-purpose yards. Michigan star RB Justice Haynes suffered a season-ending foot injury.
Defense, DeShon Singleton make big stops
DeShon Singleton and Nebraska’s defense made several great stops against the Bruins.
Singleton had a massive stop in the second quarter. On fourth-and-1, Singleton tackled QB Nico Iamaleava for a loss of two yards and a turnover on downs. Nebraska’s offense took over on its 42-yard line and marched down the field for a TD, taking a 21-7 lead.
On third-and-8 in the fourth quarter, the senior safety beat Iamaleava to the edge and batted down the ball. Singleton finished with a team-high 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, one QB hurries and one pass breakup.
Cornerback Andrew Marshall forced a field goal at the end of the first half. Marshall had a great tackle on third-and-4 to bring up a 49-yard field-goal attempt. Mateen Bhaghani shanked the kick far left.
Keona Davis and Javin Wright also had great games. Davis had seven tackles, one sack and one pass breakup. Wright posted the second most tackles with nine.
Nebraska made enough stops to win the game, but still has much to improve on. Iamaleava ran all over the Husker defense. He had 86 rushing yards on 15 carries. The QB had six runs of over 10 yards.
