Bruins face a young, promising QB

UCLA bounced back on the win list entering its bye week after losing its last five games.

The narrow 35-32 win over Rutgers breathed new life into the Bruins, but unfortunately the road doesn't get any easier for them.

Nebraska, UCLA's upcoming opponent, had a hard-fought contest with No. 4 Ohio State, ultimately losing 21-17.

The Huskers are hungry for a bowl game, and at 5-3 heading into Saturday's matchup, a win would qualify them for one.

One of the Bruins' most important tasks on Saturday will be limiting an up-and-coming quarterback in rookie Dylan Raiola. Through eight games, Raiola ranks 10th in the Big Ten with 218.0 yards per game. He ranks eighth in the conference with 1,744 total passing yards.

UCLA coach DeShaun Foster had high praise for Raiola.

“You can tell he (Raiola) is feeling more comfortable,” Foster said in his press conference on Monday. “He’s got a big arm, so he’s going to try to make plays, but I’m excited for our DBs, our front linemen, our linebackers and everyone else. He plays well. I was 16 at Pat Mahomes Texas Tech. It's crazy when you see him because he really imitates Pat.

Bruins linebacker Carson Schwesinger knows the threat Raiola can pose as a playmaker.

“I know their quarterback is a relatively big deal just because – a young, first-year quarterback,” Schwesinger told reporters on Tuesday, “and he can make plays with his legs and with his arm.”

Schwesinger's linebacker colleague Kain Medrano also explained Raiola's strengths.

“He can throw the ball well, he makes the right reads, just an all-around good quarterback,” Medrano said while addressing the media on Monday. “We just have to wreak havoc.”

Raiola He has weapons around him that make his life easier.

“They have big receivers,” UCLA defensive back Kaylin Moore said during his media release Tuesday. “So, they’re going to throw the ball up. They really like to run the ball, but they'll throw the ball up, see one-on-one, so we're prepared for that. They like…” a lot of quick plays. … A lot of different things, but we're prepared for whatever they throw.

UCLA's game against Nebraska is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

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