Bruins defense energized for a physical Nebraska team

The UCLA Bruins are making a big jump after earning their first Big Ten Conference victory against Rutgers, 35-32.

Now UCLA is done take on the Nebraska Cornhuskersa tough and physical team coming back from a close loss to No. 4 ranked Ohio State.

Needless to say, this is going to be a big test for the Bruins, and the defense looks more than ready to prove they can handle it.

“It’s all about maintaining energy,” defensive back Kaylin Moore said, per Dan Lovi of Los Angeles Daily News. “We just have to have energy every day, every day, bye week, practice week. Whatever it is, meetings. We’ll just have energy to move on to the next game and build momentum.”

This momentum will be important because not only does Nebraska have a large receiving corps, but the team also spreads the ball around, with each receiver having at least 20 receptions.

Additionally, the Cornhuskers have two running backs who can catch the ball, with Rahmir Johnson recording 19 receptions and Emmett Johnson 15 so far.

“They have big receivers, so they throw the ball up,” Moore said. “They really like to run the ball, but they’re going to throw the ball up, you see one-on-one, so we’re ready for that.”

“I think the receivers can play in the passing game again. You’ll see great catches on film and stuff like that,” linebacker Carson Schwesinger said. “And then the running backs, you’re going to get a lot of physicality and speed out of the backfield as well.”

Fortunately, the Bruins have been practicing with their own running backs, TJ Harden and Keegan Johns, who are also known for their receiving skills.

“We’ve had a lot of good business, so we’re working on that,” Moore said. “We have Keegan, you know him, great back out of the backfield. So just getting reps after training, before training, things like that.

Nebraska’s other dangerous factor is quarterback Dylan Raiola, a dual threat who can throw and run with ease.

“I know their quarterback is relatively important just because, you know, a young freshman quarterback. And he can make plays with his legs, make plays with his arm,” Schwesinger said. “But yes, we expect a physical team and we have to come and play physically.”

So far this season, Raiola has completed 162 passes for 1,744 yards and nine touchdowns. The UCLA defense will have to step up to keep the Cornhuskers at bay.

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