UCLA 36, Nebraska 30: Bruins Earn Victory the Hard Way

Nebraska coaches and players said it all week, they knew this trip wasn't going to be easy. Not because of the time difference or the venue of the game, but because they were facing a very good Bruins squad under first year head coach Jim Mora.

They found out just how good as UCLA (2-0) knocked off the 16th ranked Cornhuskers (1-1), 36-30, in front of a nearly sold out Rose Bowl crowd. At least everyone came away entertained as the game came down to the final possessions by each team.

Nebraska failed to convert on just about any opportunity to march down the field when they really needed it, stalling drives by going 1 for 11 on 3rd down conversions in the game.

UCLA and Nebraska traded opening touchdowns and with the game tied up at 7-7 Huskers QB Taylor Martinez broke the deadlock with a huge 92 yard scamper right up the gut for a touchdown that gave Nebraska the lead at 14-7 and it appeared things may turn to the visitors side of things.

However, the Bruins responded with a field goal and a Brett Hundley to Josepth Fauria passing touchdown to make it 17-4 with just about half of the 2nd quater gone. The two teams would trade another set of touchdowns and the quarter and the game would go into the half tied at 24-24 thanks to a massive 54 yard field goal by Nebraska kicker Brett Maher.

Things stayed close throughout the rest of the game, until the 8:44 mark of the final quarter where UCLA got a sack in the endzone for a safety and a two point, 29-27 lead. The game would flop back and forth with no scoring for about another 6 minutes or so.

That's when it got interesting as UCLA scored a touchdown, another passing one for Hundley, this time from just 9 yards out to James Franklin to put the Bruins up 36-27 with just 2:13 left in the game.

Nebraska didn't give up at all though and marched right down the field and looking good to score a touchdown and put this game within a field goal once again, however the drive stalled out and they had to settle for another Brett Maher field goal. He kicked the 40 yarder and made it 36-30 with 1:38 left on the clock.

The onside attempt was unsuccessful and UCLA burned out the rest of the clock to secure the upset over the Huskers.

Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley had 330 yards passing and all four of the Bruins touchdowns in the win. 

About Andrew Coppens

Andy is a contributor to The Comeback as well as Publisher of Big Ten site talking10. He also is a member of the FWAA and has been covering college sports since 2011. Andy is an avid soccer fan and runs the Celtic FC site The Celtic Bhoys. If he's not writing about sports, you can find him enjoying them in front of the TV with a good beer!

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