Winning in Lincoln isn't supposed to be easy. Especially when you're a West Coast team flying into a "Sea of Red" at Memorial Stadium with 87,000 screaming fans. But on November 2, 2024, the script flipped entirely.
The UCLA vs Nebraska score ended at 27-20 in favor of the Bruins.
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Honestly, if you just saw the final numbers, you might think it was a close, back-and-forth affair. It wasn't. For about three quarters, UCLA basically owned the field. They jumped out to a 27-7 lead, leaving the Husker faithful in a state of stunned silence. It took a late-game surge and a scary injury to Nebraska’s star freshman quarterback, Dylan Raiola, to make the closing minutes feel like a nail-biter.
How the UCLA vs Nebraska Score Reached 27-20
UCLA came out swinging. They didn't care about the travel or the 1-5 start they had earlier in the season. Under coach DeShaun Foster, this team finally looked like they found their identity.
The game started with a statement. UCLA took the opening kickoff and marched 68 yards over eight minutes. That's a lifetime in college football. While they settled for a Mateen Bhaghani field goal, it set a physical tone that Nebraska struggled to match. By the time Ethan Garbers found Jalen Berger for a 10-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, the Bruins were up 10-0 and the pressure was squarely on the Huskers.
Nebraska did punch back. Dante Dowdell found the end zone on a 4-yard run to make it 10-7. But then, Ethan Garbers—who had arguably his best game of the season—ripped off a 57-yard run that looked more like a track meet than a football play. That set up another field goal, sending UCLA into the locker room with a 13-7 lead.
The Second Half Explosion
If the first half was a boxing match, the start of the third quarter was a knockout blow. On the very first play from scrimmage, Nebraska's Dylan Raiola threw a pass that Kain Medrano simply snatched out of the air. Medrano, a former wide receiver, showed off those old hands by returning it 38 yards for a touchdown.
Suddenly, it was 20-7.
UCLA wasn't done. After a failed fourth-down attempt by Nebraska, Garbers uncorked a beautiful 48-yard bomb to Kwazi Gilmer. 27-7. At that point, people were heading for the exits.
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The Stat Sheet That Defined the Day
Looking at the box score tells a story of efficiency versus frustration. UCLA didn't necessarily outgain Nebraska by a mile, but they were way more explosive when it mattered.
- Total Yards: UCLA 358, Nebraska 322
- Passing: Ethan Garbers (UCLA) went 17-of-25 for 219 yards and 2 TDs.
- Rushing: UCLA actually out-rushed the Huskers 139 to 113. Garbers was the leading rusher for the Bruins with 56 yards.
- Turnovers: This was the killer. Nebraska turned it over twice; UCLA had zero giveaways.
Nebraska's offense felt "gimpy" for lack of a better word. Raiola finished 14-of-27 for 177 yards. He spent most of the afternoon under duress, taking four sacks from a relentless UCLA front.
The Dylan Raiola Injury and the Comeback Attempt
The game took a somber turn in the fourth quarter. Raiola was hit hard on a scramble near the goal line. He tried to stay in, but his back essentially locked up. You could see him limping toward the sideline, clearly in pain.
Enter Heinrich Haarberg.
The backup didn't have much time, but he brought a spark. After a bizarre sequence of penalties—including three UCLA unsportsmanlike conduct flags that kept Nebraska drives alive—Dante Dowdell scored again to make it 27-20. A missed extra point by John Hohl loomed large, though. It meant Nebraska needed a touchdown, not just a field goal, to tie.
In the final minute, Haarberg moved the ball into UCLA territory. He even converted a massive 4th-and-11 with a pass to Isaiah Neyor. But with 29 seconds left, a pass deflected off Jacory Barney Jr.’s leg and into the waiting arms of UCLA’s Kaylin Moore. Game over.
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Why This Game Still Matters
For UCLA, this was proof of concept. They had won two straight Big Ten road games. For Nebraska, it was a heartbreaking reminder of the "six-win curse." The Huskers were sitting at five wins, looking for bowl eligibility, and once again, it slipped through their fingers. Matt Rhule called it a "tremendous missed opportunity," and he wasn't wrong.
If you’re looking at the UCLA vs Nebraska score as just a random mid-season result, you’re missing the shift in the Big Ten power dynamic. The Bruins showed they can play physical, "Midwest-style" football. Nebraska showed they still have a mountain to climb when it comes to finishing close games.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Matchup Analysis
- Watch the Penalties: UCLA almost gave this away with undisciplined play in the fourth quarter. Sixty-two penalty yards can ruin a great defensive performance.
- Quarterback Mobility: Garbers' ability to run changed the geometry of the Nebraska defense. If a QB can get 50+ yards on the ground, the passing lanes open up.
- The Turnover Margin: You simply cannot lose the turnover battle 2-0 at home and expect to beat a Power Four opponent.
If you're tracking Big Ten standings or looking for betting trends, remember that UCLA’s defense, led by Carson Schwesinger’s 13 tackles, is much better than the early-season numbers suggested. On the flip side, Nebraska’s offensive line remains a point of concern when facing aggressive blitz packages. Keep an eye on the injury reports for Raiola moving forward, as his health is the single biggest factor in Nebraska's offensive ceiling.