UCLA football beats Nebraska for second Big Ten win – Daily News

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Ethan Garbers threw two touchdowns, linebacker Kain Medrano returned an interception for a touchdown early in the second half and UCLA held off Nebraska late to beat the Cornhuskers 27-20 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The Bruins (3-5, 2-4 Big Ten) have won for the first time in a row under first-year coach DeShaun Foster after a 1-5 start. The Cornhuskers (5-4, 2-4) have lost three straight games and lost freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola to a crushing hit on their second-to-last possession.

The Bruins, who led by 20 points in the third quarter, experienced anxious moments before their victory was assured.

Backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg converted a fourth-and-11 while moving the Huskers into UCLA territory on their final possession. Kaylin Moore intercepted Heinrich's pass, which was deflected by Jacory Barney Jr. at the 13-yard line with 29 seconds left, and the Bruins were running out of time.

Garbers completed 17 of 25 passes for 219 yards and had a 57-yard run that set up a field goal.

The Bruins extended their 13-7 halftime lead with a couple of quick goals. Medrano intercepted Raiola's pass on the first play from scrimmage of the second half and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.

Medrano stepped in front of the pass intended for Jahmal Banks over the middle and pushed Raiola down the sideline to reach the end zone, and Garbers' 48-yard pass to Kwazi Gilmer gave the Bruins a 27-7 lead midway through the third quarter .

The Huskers cut the lead to 13 points and reached the UCLA 5 on their next possession before turning the ball over on downs. However, they weren't finished yet. UCLA went three-and-out and Raiola moved the Huskers to the UCLA 2, where he took a bad hit and was ejected from the game. A few plays later, he tried to get back in, but fell a few steps off the sideline and hobbled away, clutching his lower back.