LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska is floundering into its idle week after a 27-20 loss Saturday at Memorial Stadium against UCLA . And the Huskers, at 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten, are again riding a streak of losses in the final month of the regular season after moving within one win of bowl eligibility.
Advertisement Coach Matt Rhule’s team was beaten in stunning fashion for the second time in three weeks. This defeat happened not against undefeated upstart Indiana , but against UCLA, which came to Lincoln with 3-point wins this year against Hawaii and Rutgers . And that’s it.
The Bruins built a 20-point lead early in the second half and held on for their second Big Ten win. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was injured with 5:48 to play while trying to reach the end zone on a keeper. He attempted to return minutes later, but Raiola fell to the ground in pain before leaving for good.
Backup Heinrich Haarberg got Nebraska within 7 points, but the Huskers’ hopes of a comeback ended when he was intercepted on a throw to Jacory Barney at the UCLA 13-yard in the final seconds. Meanwhile, UCLA’s Ethan Garbers torched Nebraska for the better part of 2 1/2 quarters. The senior set the tone by leading the Bruins to six conversions on their first seven third-down chances.
He finished with 219 passing yards and two touchdowns. Garbers galloped for a 57-yard gain. He threw for a 48-yard touchdown.
He did whatever he chose for about 35 minutes. It was enough against a surprisingl.
