Brendan Maloney-US PRESSWIRE
These new-look UCLA Bruins are a wonder; all of a sudden, UCLA football is considered on-par with Nebraska, as evidenced by a 4.5 line by multiple sports books.
Of course, Nebraska fans are scoffing at such a line. Most think they’ll win handily against what was a listless 2011 UCLA football team, entirely ignoring the fact that this team was, indeed, talented, even if they were poorly coached that season, something UCLA fans have hoped would change under Jim Mora.
Of course, it’s no secret that we’re leaning towards UCLA in a close shoot-out.
But what, exactly, will a shoot-out consisting of nearly 80 points between two teams look like in the box score?
Here’s what we think it’ll look like:
UCLA
Passing
Brett Hundley: 24-for-38, 263 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.
- Hundley will have to face a damn great secondary in Nebraska, which smothered USM in week one. He’s still young as hell and he won’t blow us away — at least not through the air — against a top-20 team like the Cornhuskers.
Rushing
Johnathan Franklin: 159 yards, 31 carries, TD, 1 Fumble
Damien Thigpen: 39 yards, 13 carries
Brett Hundley: 118 yards, 8 carries, TD
Malcolm Jones: 6 yards, 6 carries
Jordon James: 3 yards, 1 carry
Steven Manfro: 1 yard, 1 carry
- The Bruins could — and should — ride the running game hard against Nebraska, even if that front seven is incredible. Franklin will grab yards based on volume while Hundley should be UCLA’s second leading rusher because Nebraska hates QBs that won’t stand still.
Receiving
Joseph Fauria: 6 receptions, 83 yards, TD (Long: 18 yards)
Jerry Johnson: 4 receptions, 35 yards, TD (Long: 22 yards)
Devin Lucien: 4 receptions, 40 yards (Long: 16 yards)
Steven Manfro: 3 receptions, 72 yards (Long: 70 yards)
Shaq Evans: 2 receptions, 12 yards (Long: 12 yards)
Johnathan Franklin: 3 receptions, 12 yards (Long: 8 yards)
Eric Kendricks: 1 reception, 8 yards
Damien Thigpen: 1 reception, 1 yard
- Joe Fauria should be targeted like crazy in this game, and the passing attack should be spread out much like it was against Rice.
Kick/Punt Returns
Steven Manfro: 2 KR, 116 yards, TD (Long: 98 yards)
Steven Manfro: 2 PR, 30 yards
- Manfro needs to redeem himself against the Cornhuskers after last week’s awful performance against Rice in nearly all aspects of the game. With these returns, Manfro should have over 200 all-purpose yards.
Summary
UCLA will gain over 500 yards total offense vs. Nebraska — much like Nebraska will gain over 500 yards total offense vs. UCLA — and most of it will consist of big plays from the explosive, young talent UCLA possesses.