UCLA Football Trounces Nebraska 41-21 After Slow Start

Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA manhandled the 23rd-ranked Nebraska on Saturday morning, 41-21 after trailing 21-3 late in the second quarter.

The Bruins, led by Brett Hundley and Jordon James, would go on to score an incredible 38 unanswered points in the second half, 35 of which came in the third quarter. A spirited effort by the Bruins following the loss of teammate Nick Pasquale (who died in Orange County this past week) improves UCLA’s record to 2-0 in the season.

UCLA racked up 504 yards of total offense, with Hundley passing for 295 yards while the running game ran for 210 yards. Meanwhile, the Bruins’ defense, which struggled early on, held the Cornhuskers to 323 yards of total offense, with most coming in the first half. The Huskers would not score after the seven-minute mark in the second quarter.

While there was no clear turning point in the game, momentum shifted for the Bruins after UCLA scored a touchdown late in the second quarter of the game which began a 38-point explosion that the Cornhuskers were unable to stop.

The Huskers held a moment of silence for fallen UCLA Bruin Pasquale before the game, while the student section released 250 blue and gold balloons in honor of the redshirt freshman.

“We got one for Nick, baby,” said UCLA head coach Jim Mora after the game.

The Bruins will take on New Mexico State next week at the Rose Bowl before taking another bye week and entering Pac-12 play.