Nebraska (7-3, 4-3) traveled to Pasadena, California, to face UCLA (3-6, 3-3) in the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. The Huskers entered the game with a true freshman, TJ Lateef, making the start at quarterback following a season-ending injury for Dylan Raiola. Despite being without Raiola, the Huskers’ offense put together a big outing, leading to a 28-21 victory and the first seven-win regular season since 2016.
Nebraska and UCLA traded blows throughout the night, with both teams finishing with around 350 total yards of offense. However, two key stops in the first half —a failed fourth-down conversion and a missed field goal —allowed the Huskers to jump out to a 21-7 lead. The Bruins did score two touchdowns in the second half but only got three total drives across the final two quarters, with one of them resulting in a punt.
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Emmett Johnson put together arguably his biggest game of the season, finishing with 232 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. Johnson earned 129 rushing yards on 28 carries and 103 receiving yards on just three catches, becoming the first back in school history to gain 100 yards in a game from both the ground and the air. Johnson’s most significant plays came in the air, with him scoring on a 56-yard reception and a 40-yard pass.
He led Nebraska’s receiving corps, helping the group combine for 205 yards on 13 catches, which included 135 yards after reception. Jacory Barney scored the other touchdown for Nebraska, snatching a two-yard pass on its opening drive. He finished with four catches for 19 yards. Dane Key racked up 46 yards on three catches, and Nyziah Hunter earned 37 yards on three catches.
Their play helped lighten the load for Lateef, who only threw 15 passes all game, but completed 13 of them for 205 yards and three touchdowns. Lateef also rushed for 31 yards on five carries.
Nico Iamaleava led the way for the Bruins, finishing 17-of-25 for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He also scrambled a lot on the night, rushing for 86 yards on 15 carries. UCLA tallied 157 yards on the ground off 37 carries and one touchdown.
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Nebraska now gets to rest up with a bye week but will then travel to Penn State to take on the Nittany Lions. Kickoff time and viewing platform are to be announced.
Find social media reactions to Saturday night’s victory below.
W
Heisman Conversation
The pose
TJ! TJ!
Fired up
Made it a movie
Elite
Yes they did
Best. Fans. Ever.
New York
So good
Correct
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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Social media reacts to Nebraska’s 28-21 win over UCLA
