Huskers Run by UCLA to Take Foster Farms Bowl

Getty Images

Getty Images

After a dismal 5-7 season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers upset the UCLA Bruins in the 14th annual Foster Farms bowl, 37-29.

The Bruins started off strong, and at the halfway point of the second quarter, they were up 21-7 on the struggling Cornhuskers. However, they couldn’t absorb the surge Tommy Armstrong led on the offensive side of the ball, in which he led them to a 30-0 run, into the fourth quarter. One of those scores was on a phenomenal one handed touchdown catch by freshman Stanley Morgan Jr.

UCLA would score one more time before the end of the game, but when they had a chance to come back, a play was broken up by All-American Maliek Collins, which resulted in an interception by cornerback Chris Jones.

Armstrong Jr. would be named the MVP of the game, finishing with 174 yards and a touchdown through the air, and rushing for 76 yards and a score to go on top of it.

The Huskers also established a ground game which we had not seen since last year, with Ameer Abdullah as the lead back. Freshman Devine Ozigbo broke out of his shell, and rushed for a team high 80 yards, while seniors Imani Cross and Andy Janovich combined for 93 yards and two scores.

UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen didn’t live up to his hype, throwing for two interceptions resulting in  a quarterback rating of 57.8. However, the freshman did throw for 319 yards and three touchdowns.

After the game, Nebraska’s top defender Maliek Collins announced to the team that he would forgo his senior season, and enter the NFL Draft. ESPN analyst Todd McShay sees Collins going 26th overall to the Seattle Seahawks this April.

It was a great win for Nebraska, and for first year coach Mike Riley, who has had a rocky start to his Nebraska career. Riley ended his first season on a great note, and showed some promise for next years season.

Follow Hans Miller @HansmillerISN