Know Your Opponent: UCLA’s Offense vs Nebraska’s Defense
This is Part 2 of 3 of a Know Your Opponent Preview of the Foster Farms Bowl.
Part 1 was a history of the match-up, Part 2 is the UCLA Offense vs the Nebraska Defense and Part 3 will be the UCLA Defense vs the Nebraska Offense and a prediction.
The first thought many Bruin fans had when the Nebraska vs UCLA match-up was announced was “Oh great… A no-win bowl game scenario. Beating a 5-7 bowl team hardly sounds like an accomplishment, and losing to a 5-7 bowl team will be an embarrassment”.
However, Nebraska was a weird team in 2015, and definitely better than their record. Of the early bowls on the slate, many college football fans and pundits are eagerly looking forward to what looks to be an exciting game.
The Cornhuskers may have lost seven games this year, but five of those games were by five points or less (including last second losses to BYU, Miami and Illinois and Wisconsin). Also, when you compare UCLA to Nebraska statistically, thee teams share many similarities.
…The Cornhuskers may have lost seven games this year, but five of those games were by five points or less…
UCLA had better not take Nebraska lightly, despite the sub-.500 record, and because of a relatively even matchup the team that brings the best attitude into the Foster Farms Bowl will probably be victorious.
Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen and the UCLA offense should have plenty of motivation to play well in this bowl game. Coming off a dreadful second half performance against USC in which Rosen threw two interceptions and gave up a fumble for a touchdown. After a few weeks to get healed and rest, you can bet that the usual suspects for the Bruins will be ready to make plays.
…The Bruins had at least 150 yards rushing in eight of twelve games, and the Huskers gave up more than 15o yards rushing in only two games all season, so something will have to give in this match-up…
Rosen (59.5% completions, 3350 yards, 20 TDs, 9 INTs) can make a big statement in his final game as a freshman heading into next year, and you can expect him to try and send senior Jordan Payton (75 receptions, 1069 yards, 4 TDs) off with a good game. He will also look for his other favorite target Thomas Duarte (49 receptions, 820 yards, 10 TDs) over the middle of the field. Nebraska had one of the worst pass defenses in the Big-10 this year (288 passing yards allowed per game, 7.8 yards per pass allowed), so the Bruins will likely let Rosen sling the ball freely.
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As always, the Bruins will try and balance the play-calling with the running game, and Paul Perkins (1275 yards, 5.67 yards per carry, 13 TDs) should get the bulk of the carries with a smidge of Nate Starks and Soso Jamabo.
The Cornhuskers run defense was fairly stout all year, allowing only 3.75 yards per rush and 113 rushing yards per game, but UCLA will still need to run the ball effectively to keep Nebraska honest. The Bruins had at least 150 yards rushing in eight of twelve games, and the Huskers gave up more than 15o yards rushing in only two games all season, so something will have to give in this match-up.
The top three tacklers for the year on the Nebraska team are all defensive backs (Nate Gerry, Joshua Kalu, Byerson Cockrell). Given their strong run and weak pass defense, this indicates two things: the Huskers defensive backfield is good at run-support and teams have thrown a lot on the Huskers. Junior linebacker Josh Banderas missed four games this year, but leads Nebraska with 7 tackles per game. The Cornhuskers average two sacks per game, but had only seven sacks in its last four games (six in one game against Rutgers).
…Some new obstacles have presented themselves to the Bruin offense leading up to the Foster Farms Bowl…
Also, Nebraska has only forced 13 turnovers in 12 games, and has a turnover margin of 4/14 in the last four games. This suggests that if the Bruin offense can keep away from sloppy unforced errors, Nebraska will have a hard time forcing turnovers.
Some new obstacles have presented themselves to the Bruin offense leading up to the Foster Farms Bowl. Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone was recently hospitalized and it is unclear how much of a role he will take in the bowl game. If he is unable to coach in the game, the Bruins have not announced who would fill in for him as the Bruin offensive play caller. Additionally, this week it was announced that guard Alex Redmond had left the team and signed with an agent.
Whatever Redmond’s reasons, his absence leaves the Bruins short on the offensive line especially after the announced transfer of Freddy Ulu-Perry. Ideally, the Bruins need Kenny Lacy healthy enough to play along side Caleb Benenoch, Jake Brendel, Kolton Miller and Connor McDermott. If Lacy is limited or another of that group gets hurt, it will put an awfully inexperienced lineman on the field.
Next: Top 10 UCLA Quarterbacks
Even with the adversity listed above, if UCLA brings an A for effort, the offensive talent the Bruins bring to the table should be productive against Nebraska. Look for the UCLA offense to match and possibly exceed their average of 32.5 points per game.