LINCOLN, Neb—UCLA may have had the higher ranking heading into today’s game against Nebraska, but didn’t play like it in the first 28 minutes of this 11 a.m. local start. UCLA trails Nebraska 21-10 one half into a rematch of its 2012 home opener.
After short drives by both UCLA and Nebraska to open the game, Nebraska cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste picked off a pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley and returned it for 34 yards. That turnover quickly was converted to a touchdown when Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez connected with wide receiver Quincy Enunwa for an easy 11-yard score.
On UCLA’s next drive, the Bruins drove 49 yards on eight plays, thanks mostly to a 39-yard reception by redshirt senior wide receiver Grayson Mazzone, who was wide open down the right side of the field. After Hundley threw behind sophomore wide receiver Devin Fuller to yield a fourth down, sophomore kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn completed the Bruins’ counterpunch with a 44-yard field goal.
Nebraska’s next drive, which ended with yet another Enunwa touchdown, was a gut punch for the Bruins, who allowed Martinez and company to travel 92 yards on 17 plays in 6:34 toward the end of the first quarter.
Down 14-3 and with the Memorial Stadium crowd at its loudest, UCLA went three and out on the ensuing drive to close out the first quarter. Even after getting a stop, the Bruins couldn’t help themselves, going three and out again and fumbling a punt, leading to yet another Martinez touchdown pass.
One their second-to-last drive of the half, however, the Bruins showed life. Hundley avoided two defenders on a third and 12 to rush for a first down, then completed a 32-yard bullet to Fuller on the next play. The six-play, 59-yard drive was capped off by a 10-yard touchdown run from running back Paul Perkins, the second of the season for the redshirt freshman.
Compiled by Andrew Erickson, Bruin Sports senior staff.