The Bruins break out big at the start and the Huskers' bowl bubble bursts

On a cloudy and cool November afternoon at Memorial Stadium, the UCLA Bruins got off to a fast start and then defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 27-20. Another one-point defeat. Something Husker fans have become all too familiar with, as the team under Matt Rhule is now 2-8 in one-point games. They are also 0-8 in games that would have secured bowl eligibility over the last two seasons, as the Huskers have now lost three straight games since opening the season 5-1.

A 2-5 win against UCLA seemed like the easiest path to six wins in the four remaining games. The Huskers were a touchdown favorite against the visitors and hometown fans were hopeful after last week's hard-fought loss to Ohio State. But as has been the case for decades, you never know what you're going to get when the Huskers take the field. When it seems like they've turned the corner and exorcised some demons, they falter and rip your heart out again. My brother confided in me after the game, “Sometimes it sucks being a Husker fan.”

The Bruins scored on their first three drives as Husker blitzes were nullified and pinpoint passes prevailed. Although the Blackshirts held UCLA to one touchdown and two field goals, they were unable to get off the field as UCLA converted six of its first seven third-down attempts and held the ball while out-yarding 13:24 of the first period Huskers 148-2.

The Huskers were very fortunate to only trail 13-7 at halftime as they only had 20 offensive plays and were outscored 248-71. The only Husker score of the first half came after Bruin called an unsportsmanlike penalty that continued a drive after the Huskers had seemingly thrown a three-pointer out of bounds. Luckily, all three Husker scores were rewarded with a personal foul from UCLA.

It was hoped the second half would start differently, but UCLA grabbed Dylan Raiola on the first snap of the second half and returned the favor for a touchdown. The Bruins followed with a three-play, 58-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 48-yard completion to take a 27-7 lead and seemingly seal the Huskers' fate. But the Husker defense only allowed UCLA 14 more plays and 52 total yards in the final twenty minutes, giving the offense multiple chances for a comeback.

Unfortunately, relying on the Husker offense to contribute is a risky proposition. Questionable game calls are only surpassed by incorrect execution. The Huskers came into the game ranked 128th out of 134 teams in red zone points percentage (.719) and were just 3 for 4 in the red zone in the game. Nebraska scored a first-and-goal at the 10-yard line with 12:24 left and gained 5 yards up the middle on first down. What followed were two incomplete passes and a 10-yard sack on fourth down. When Matt Rhule noted in his presser that the game was “a tremendous missed opportunity,” all he had to look at was the lack of offensive creativity in this series.

After a Bruin three-pointer, the Huskers took the lead with 9:58 left. They needed 13 plays and 6:01 to run just 53 yards and score on a 1-yard run by Dante Dowdell, but the offense wasted nearly 3 minutes on 8 snaps inside the 10-yard line. Then they missed the extra point and reduced the score to 27:20. Poor time management and a lack of sense of urgency didn't seem to help matters.

The Huskers got the ball back with 2:22 left and had a chance for a miraculous comeback. Heinrich Haarberg was at the helm after Raiola suffered an undisclosed injury and the Huskers drove to the Bruin 34-yard line. Then Thomas Fidone caught a pass but was covered and was ineligible to play, resulting in a penalty. The Husker's final play was an interception off Jacory Barney's knee as he lay prone on the 12-yard line. “Close but no cigar” seems to be synonymous with Husker football, as failure down the stretch seems to be a curse that can’t be lifted.

Entering the contest, UCLA ranked 118th nationally in turnover margin at -7, averaging 1.7 turnovers per game. Nebraska has been one of the better takeaway teams in the country, averaging 1.6 per game. So the Nebraska offense threw two picks and the defense failed to get a takeaway, even though Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers was tied for the Big Ten lead with nine interceptions in just six games. It's hard to win a game with -2 turnovers, especially when you lack offensive identity. After a good start to the year, Nebraska now sits at 12 losses and 12 wins in turnover margin.

Dylan Raiola was just 3 of 10 passing for 47 yards in the first half and completed 14 of 27 passes for 177 yards with a passing touchdown and a pick-6 interception. It wasn't a pretty performance, as Big Ten defenses have figured out that increasing the pressure leads to errors and misfires from Raiola. He was sacked four times but was bailed out by his receivers more than once, the best example being a 40-yard reception by Jacory Barney Jr. in the second quarter that set up a Nebraska touchdown. It was the longest catch of Barney's career, eclipsing a 28-yard reception against Rutgers on October 5. Barney caught four passes for 78 yards in the game, increasing his total receptions this season to 38. Barney is just two catches behind the Nebraska record for receptions by a true freshman, held by Wan'dale Robinson, who had 40 catches in 2019.

Heinrich Haarberg went 2 for 7 for 32 yards in relief, took a drop from Jahmal Banks for a gain of 35 yards, and had the aforementioned pick when the ball deflected off Barney.

Isaiah Neyor returned in the game with 4 catches for 89 yards, increasing his career total receiving yards to 1,549. He also caught an 8-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, his team-leading fifth touchdown catch of the season. The receivers struggled to make an impact against Bruin, who ranked 118th in passing yards allowed. Despite four catches from Thomas Fidone (for just 16 yards), the offense failed to utilize tight ends effectively.

Dante Dowdell led all rushers with 61 yards on 17 carries and scored on a four-yard run in the second quarter for his team-leading seventh touchdown of the season. Rahmir Johnson added 27 yards on just 3 carries and Emmett Johnson contributed 23 yards on 7 carries for a Husker rushing attack that racked up 113 yards on 38 attempts.

Defensively, safety Isaac Gifford led the team with nine tackles, increasing his career total to 220, which ranks fifth all-time among Husker defenders. He also had a few mistakes that would have contributed to this result. Linebacker John Bullock had eight tackles, raising his career tackle total to 105, and safety Marques Buford Jr. had four tackles, raising his career tackle total to 103. Defensive lineman Ty Robinson had four tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss. Robinson now leads the team with 9 total tackles for loss and 5 sacks. Jeremiah Charles started at defensive back in place of the injured Malcolm Hartzog and was repeatedly attacked during his trial.

The special teams was led by punter Brian Buschini, who averaged a whopping 55.7 yards on his three punts, including a 64-yard punt in the first quarter. It was the eighth punt of at least 60 yards in his Nebraska career, including his fourth of the season. He also had three touchbacks on four kickoffs, with the only return being just 17 yards. John Hohl missed an extra point that would have been crucial had the Huskers scored late, as the point would have ensured a win instead of a tie.

What a disappointing performance from the Huskers. Psychologists like me will tell you that the way to avoid disappointment is to have realistic expectations, and that disappointment is largely a result of unrealistic expectations. As a lifelong Husker fan, it's hard for me to know what to even expect from this team. I resist giving up hope, but I'm tired of the soul-destroying losses. The bye week will likely be an opportunity for Husker Nation to dwell on the issues, and many will bitch and moan about the future. The road ahead won't be easy, especially in Los Angeles in two weeks, but USC just lost 26-21 to Washington and fell to 4-5 overall and 2-5 in the Big Ten. A week later, the final home game takes place against Wisconsin, which was just beaten 42-10 by an Iowa team that had used a backup quarterback. The sixth victory is still possible. The Huskers just need to find a way to make it happen. Go Big Red!!!