Ethan Garbers passed for two touchdowns, and linebacker Kain Medrano returned an interception for a touchdown at the start of the second half, helping UCLA hold off Nebraska to win 27-20 on Saturday.
The Bruins (3-5, 2-4 Big Ten) have now won two games in a row for the first time with first-year coach DeShaun Foster, after starting the season 1-5.
“This team was continuously showing how resilient they are; they’re going to continue to fight,” Foster said. “This was a really good (opponent), that’s why they were able to come back.
They weren’t going to quit at all; they were going to continue to fight. That’s what Coach (Matt) Rhule instills in his players, so we’re just excited to be able to get a victory in a hostile environment like this.”
The Cornhuskers (5-4, 2-4) have now lost three games in a row and suffered a blow when freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola took a hard hit during their second-to-last possession.
The Bruins, who had a 20-point lead in the third quarter, faced some tense moments before securing their win. Backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg managed to convert a fourth-and-11, moving the Huskers into UCLA territory during their last possession.
Kaylin Moore intercepted a pass from Haarberg that deflected off Jacory Barney Jr. at the 13-yard line with 29 seconds remaining, allowing the Bruins to run out the clock.
Garbers completed 17 of 25 passes for 219 yards and had a 57-yard run that set up a field goal.
Garbers mentioned that the Bruins aimed for a strong start on the road, and they achieved that. They won the coin toss, took the ball, and drove for a field goal.
“We should have put seven on the board, but we only got three, so we’re cool with that,” Garbers said. “We wanted to set the tone early, come out there and punch them in the mouth. And I think we did a great job today.”
The Bruins extended their 13-7 lead at halftime with a couple of quick scores. Medrano intercepted a pass from Raiola on the first play of the second half and ran it back 38 yards for a touchdown.
Medrano jumped in front of a pass meant for Jahmal Banks and leaped over Raiola along the sideline to reach the end zone.
“I don’t know if anybody knows, but I used to be wide receiver,” Medrano said. “I got some moves up in there.”
Garbers connected with Kwazi Gilmer for a 48-yard pass, putting the Bruins ahead 27-7 midway through the third quarter. However, their last four drives only gained 42 yards, which allowed the Huskers to get back in the game.
Raiola got hurt after taking a big hit at the UCLA 2-yard line while trying to escape the pocket. He attempted to return a couple of plays later but limped off holding his lower back.
“I thought I could fight through it,” said Raiola, who completed 14 of 27 passes for 177 yards. “I went out there, and I guess it locked up on me.
We trust Heinrich in those situations, and I thought it was best for the team, and I thought I possibly could hurt them if I went back out there. I didn’t know what my body could do. I didn’t think it was enough to give us a chance to win, so Heinrich did his thing.”
With Haarberg now in the game, Dante Dowdell scored a 1-yard touchdown. John Hohl missed the extra point, leaving the Huskers down 27-20 with 3:57 left.
“I just like coming in here with these boys and working every day,” Medrano said. “It’s fun at practice. You see the juice out there on the field, trying to carry it over day to day, Monday all the way to Saturday. So it’s been a lot of fun. I love this team. I love this coaching staff. I have all the faith in everybody. I just can’t wait to keep this fun going.”
