Huskers Battle UCLA in a Wild Contest

Nebraska hosts UCLA in an 11:07 a.m.(CDT) Saturday kickoff in a game that will be televised nationally by ABC. The Bruins are 1-0, coached by Jim Mora, Jr. who is 10-5 in his second year as the coach of UCLA. The Bruins defeated the Huskers by a score of 36-30 last season at the Rose Bowl. Nebraska gave up a number of big plays defensively in a game that showed some flaws in the Big Red in 2012. Nebraska leads the all time series 6-5. UCLA is led by star quarterback Brett Hundley (6-foot-3, 222 Pounds, Sophomore). He is a dangerous thrower and an accomplished runner. The defense will have to get pressure on Hundley with Randy Gregory leading the way for the Blackshirts. Hundley is completing 66.7 percent of his passes (22 of 33) for 274 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in their season opening win over Nevada. He has the tools to hurt the Nebraska defense. The offensive line is young with no seniors starting, but they will likely give Hundley enough time to make a few big plays. This is not a huge line against the Nebraska front and this matchup will be key as to which team has the better of it in the trenches likely comes out the winner. Jordon James (5-9, 194, Jr.) had 155 yards rushing in the first game of the season. The Huskers will have to account for him, especially if UCLA sends him in motion out of the backfield to open up the middle of the field for the passing game. His backup, Steven Manfro (5-9, 189, So.), also catches the ball well out of the backfield. UCLA will look to spread the Nebraska defense out and isolate players in space against the likes of Nathan Gerry and Josh Banderas. The receivers are a solid group for the Bruins. Shaq Evans (6-1, 204, Sr.) is Hundley's favorite target But Jordan Payton (6-1, 212, So.) and Darius Bell (511, 210, Sr.) are also threats in the passing game. The Husker secondary, led by Stanley Jean Baptists and Josh Mitchell will certainly be tested down the field. Defensively UCLA has the best player on the field in outside linebacker Anthony Barr (6-4, 248, Sr.). He is likely a top ten pick in the 2014 National Football League draft. Barr is one of the top pass rushers in the country and the Husker offensive line has to keep him away from Taylor Martinez most of the afternoon. Keenan Graham (6-1, 255, Sr.) is a solid defensive end and Eric Kendricks 6-0, 228, Jr.) leads the team in tackles as an inside linebacker. The 3-4 defensive scheme is a good one and Mora, like Bo Pelini is known as a defensive specialist. The kicking game has not been tested early this season for UCLA. The Bruins have yet to punt and kicker Kaimi Fairbairn (5-11, 185, So.) is not known for a strong leg. The Bruins are famous for blocking punts and field goals so the Husker special teams will have to be ready for extra pressure. For Nebraska to win, they must take care of the football. The early start should be an advantage for the Big Red. I am certain Bo Pelini has kept his defense simple the first two games in 2013 so that UCLA would not have seen everything Nebraska will bring at the UCLA offense. The Huskers must run the ball well and Ameer Abdullah has to shine. Both teams will light up the scoreboard, but I like NU at home by a score of 38-30. Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.