A winning season has been clinched with three games remaining as Nebraska improved to 7-2 following a 28-21 victory over UCLA on Saturday. Here are four key observations from the contest.
Emmett Johnson showcased an extraordinary performance in Los Angeles, rushing 28 times for 129 yards and scoring once. He also had three receptions for 103 yards and two additional touchdowns, making him the first running back in program history to achieve over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game. “He was great,” said Nebraska coach Matt Rhule. “He”s been consistently great.” With those receptions, Johnson now has 82 in his career, ranking him third among Nebraska running backs for most catches, alongside Jeff Kinney and Marlon Lucky.
Johnson”s two touchdown receptions tie him with Ahman Green and Cory Ross for the most by a Nebraska running back in a single game. After surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark last week, he now stands at 1,131 rushing yards this season, the highest for a Nebraska player since Ameer Abdullah tallied 1,611 yards in 2014. His average of 125.7 yards per game positions him well to potentially become the fifth player in Nebraska history to exceed 1,500 rushing yards in a single season. “Emmett”s just an absolute weapon,” Rhule remarked, noting the interest from scouts. “He”s a pro.”
Against UCLA, Johnson”s 28 carries followed previous outings of 27 against Northwestern and 29 against USC. He is the first Nebraska player since Ahman Green in 1997 to have 25 or more carries in three consecutive games. Additionally, Johnson”s 14 touchdowns this season are the most by a Nebraska running back since Abdullah”s 22 in 2014.
TJ Lateef, only the fourth true freshman quarterback to start for Nebraska in the last 75 years, excelled in his hometown. He did not register an incomplete pass until early in the fourth quarter, helping the Huskers establish a 28-7 lead with four consecutive scoring drives. “If you have any idea how we feel about him, at the end of the game, with the game on the line, we”re throwing the football,” Rhule said of Lateef. “A lot of people wouldn”t do that, but we”re doing that, and it”s because he”s earned that.” While Johnson carried much of the offensive burden, Lateef contributed effectively, rushing five times for 31 yards and completing 13 of 15 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns.
On the defensive side, Nebraska faced Nico Iamaleava, who finished with 15 carries for 86 yards despite suffering three sacks for a loss of 18 yards. Iamaleava”s agility allowed him to evade pressure and either run the ball or find open receivers. “I thought Nico was fantastic,” Rhule stated. “Just an absolute warrior. That first drive, we hit him so many times I didn”t know how long he could do that, and he just did it all night.” However, Nebraska benefited from some questionable play calling by UCLA, including a failed pass on a crucial third-and-1 and a stuffed run on fourth down.
The matchup concluded with Iamaleava completing 17 of 25 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. The game also marked a significant achievement for Nebraska, as they participated in a Husker Fall Equinox, where all major sports from the fall and winter seasons played on the same day. With victories across football, volleyball, and basketball, Nebraska improved its record to 8-2 during these unique events.
With the win against UCLA, Nebraska”s football team continues to solidify its position, remaining undefeated against teams west of the state, including previous wins over Colorado and Hawai”i. The Huskers have now swept their contests on a Husker Fall Equinox six times in history, showcasing the strength of their athletic programs.
