With less than 40 seconds remaining in the game, it was Kaiyln Moore's game-sealing interception that proved to be the play of the game to help UCLA secure a 27-20 road victory against Nebraska Saturday afternoon.
A look at Kaiyln Moore’s game sealing interception. What a heads up play by a veteran player @SportingTrib pic.twitter.com/0UWYDY5CTx
— Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) November 2, 2024
After leading 27-7 in the third quarter, UCLA (2-5, 1-4 Big Ten) found themselves in familiar territory as they were about to give up another lead in the fourth quarter. This time they were able to hold on and pull away with the victory.
"The team came out and played a great first half," Bruins coach Deshaun Foster said. "We kind of stalled out maybe a little bit in the second half, a couple of penalties and stuff, but I think once we clean all of that up, that's our discipline aspect."
When UCLA's defense wasn't giving themselves self-inflicted wounds, their defense played lights out. Two of Nebraska's (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) touchdowns came on unsportsmanlike penalties on third down. Their other was after a KJ Wallace holding penalty in the endzone.
Aside from the self-inflicted wounds, the Bruins defense was dominant. Preventing two fourth-down conversions, forcing four sacks, and making two interceptions, including an interception for a touchdown on Nebraska's first offensive play of the third quarter by Kain Medrano.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was held to just 177 yards and had one touchdown pass in the game while completing 14-27 passes.
"We just played our brand of football, we didn’t do anything that we haven’t practiced all week.” Medrano said following Saturday's game.
On the offensive side of the ball, UCLA looked brilliant, scoring on their first two offensive drives of the game.
Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers had his first touchdown pass in the second quarter after Nebraska committed a facemask penalty on J'Michael Sturdivant. On the next play, the Bruins drew up a 10-yard screen pass to running back Jalen Berger.
Garbers finished the day completing 17-25 passes for 219 yards and two touchdown passes.
On the Bruins' opening game possession, the game plan looked to be to tire out the Cornhuskers. UCLA had a 14-play drive with four first downs for 73 yards of total offense. The drive ended with a 25-yard field goal by Mateen Bhaghani.
“Not enough credit goes to Coach (Juan) Castillo. He does such a great job throughout the week, just giving us the right looks, making sure we’re all on the same page." Garbers said. "At the end of the day, it just comes down to us communicating out there and us figuring it out ourselves."
Bhagni had a second field goal in the second quarter that was good for 26 yards.
After Raiola threw an interception for a touchdown to UCLA to open the second half, Nebraska's offensive woes continued after they were stopped on fourth and three on UCLA's 46-yard line.
On the next drive, Garbers got the Bruins a quick score after throwing a 48-yard touchdown pass to Kwazi Gilmer to give them a 27-7 lead.
Gilmer was the Bruins leading receiver having three receptions for 88 yards. Only Moliki Matavao had more catches (4) for 52 yards.
Following Gilmer's touchdown, Nebraska needed a score if they wanted to get back in the game.
Failing to convert a first down on third and one, the Bruins defense looked to have another stop on third down until an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on Ale Kaho of UCLA. Four plays later, Raiola threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Neyor for eight yards.
On the next Nebraska offensive drive, the Cornhuskers were on the goal line and looking to cut the deficit by one. On second and goal, Raiola scrambled up the middle to try and score but was met by Kaho and Carson Schwesinger. Raiola would remain on the ground and exited the game.
Heinrich Haarberg entered the game next for Nebraska and finished the drive with a handoff to Dante Dowdell for a one-yard touchdown run.
As Haarberg remained in the game at quarterback he was leading Nebraska downfield and was looking to tie the ball game. The Cornhuskers were facing a fourth and 11 in the fourth but managed to convert it for a first down from a 24-yard completion to Neyor.
Haarberg later converted two more first downs for Nebraska until he threw the game-ending interception to give UCLA the victory.