We can probably excuse UCLA for coming out flat against Nebraska this afternoon in Lincoln. As if flying in to Big Ten territory for a noon kickoff is not enough of an adjustment for a team from the west coast, the Bruins have been preparing all week and playing today with heavy hearts following Sunday’s tragic loss of Nick Pasquale, who was struck by a car last weekend. The Bruins may have started sluggish but head to the locker room having put a touchdown on the scoreboard. Nebraska leads the Bruins 21-10 at the half.
Jim Mora is not a coach who will be looking for excuses for the way the first half played out for the visiting Bruins. Quarterback Brett Hundley led the UCLA offense on to the field for the game’s opening drive and proceeded to wave his warms begging for more crowd noise from the red-clad Nebraska fans. He then took off running on the first snap of the game and had the ball popped out of his arms. Fortunately for Hundley, UCLA landed on the loose ball to avoid an early disaster. Hundley as not been particularly sharp, completing eight of 16 passes for 153 yards and he was intercepted on UCLA’s second possession of the game. UCLA’s running game has yet to take off either, mustering together just 26 yards on the ground in the first half. Paul Perkins had a touchdown run up the middle of Nebraska’s defense inside the red zone to give the Bruins a little bit of a lift.
Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez has had a better outing so far with three touchdown passes, and Nebraska’s defense has been playing well for the most part. They have had their frustrating moments as well, including the inability to wrap up Hundley scrambling to stay alive on UCLA’s final possession of the half. Hundley managed to escape multiple Nebraska defenders and found enough room to pick up a first down to continue the drive that would result in a touchdown.
UCLA was given credit for a field goal midway through the second quarter, but an official video review overturned the call. The call was the right call in this case, because the football was wide right. For what it is worth, Pac 12 refs are being used for the game but a Big Ten crew is working the video replay.