Pasadena, CA — A crowd of 44,481 fans packed the Rose Bowl to watch the UCLA Bruins (3–6, 3–3 Big Ten) take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (7–3, 4–3 Big Ten) in a tightly contested conference matchup.

Nebraska struck first, scoring a touchdown with eight minutes left in the first quarter. UCLA struggled early, drawing a false start penalty late in the quarter.

After a scramble, UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava gained 11 yards on the ground before completing a 5-yard pass to Kwazi Gilmer for a first down. Iamaleava then connected with Jalen Berger, who advanced the ball to the Nebraska 13-yard line before being tackled by Nebraska’s No. 10.

In the second quarter, Iamaleava completed another pass to Gilmer for an 8-yard gain, setting up UCLA’s first touchdown. Jalen Berger punched it in, and kicker Bahteen Bhaghani converted the extra point to tie the game 7–7, capping a 17-play, 75-yard drive that lasted 9:46.

Nebraska quickly responded. Emmett Johnson broke free for a 56-yard touchdown at 10:58 of the second quarter. Later, Johnson added another score – a 1-yard run – with 1:47 left in the half, extending Nebraska’s lead to 21–7 after a 7-play, 60-yard drive lasting 4:31.

The Cornhuskers opened the third quarter strong, going up 28–7 at 11:44 on a 6-play, 75-yard drive that ended with another touchdown.

UCLA answered when Iamaleava connected with Anthony Woods on a 45-yard touchdown pass at 9:58, trimming the deficit to 28–14 after Bhaghani’s extra point.

Later in the third quarter, a false start penalty backed the Bruins up to their own 22-yard line with 1:24 remaining.

In the final quarter, UCLA’s defense tightened up, preventing Nebraska from scoring again. With 4:54 left, Iamaleava found Anthony Frias for a 9-yard touchdown. Bhaghani’s kick brought the Bruins within one score, 28–21, but the comeback fell short.

After the game, UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper praised Nebraska’s standout running back, Emmett Johnson:

“Most of our game plan was to stop 21 (Emmett Johnson) — he’s a special, special player. We talked about it with the media on Monday. They did a good job of getting him involved in the passing game. He caught a screen and made an explosive play off that.

I think he’s a very special talent. Nationally, they should be talking about him a lot more. And for their quarterback to come out here, in his first start, and be almost perfect — you tip your hat to that kid.

Our guys fought hard. We got better in the second half, but it just wasn’t enough. They kept running the rock. But if you look at the stats, it’s dead even — even time of possession at 30–30. It’s kind of crazy, because it didn’t feel that way out there. I’m proud of our guys; there was no quit, we just came up a little short.”

Article: Lauren Rodriguez

Photos: Jim Sabo