UCLA @ Nebraska preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2012 ) Nebraska 30, UCLA 36

UCLA will be playing with heavy hearts this week following the death of walk-on wide receiver Nick Pasquale, who was hit by a car while walking in his hometown on Sunday. The 17th-ranked Bruins attempt to put that pain behind them when they visit No. 15 Nebraska on Saturday. UCLA had extra time to prepare after an opening destruction of Nevada on Aug. 31 and a bye week.

The Cornhuskers are searching for revenge against the Bruins, who rolled up 653 total yards in a 36-30 home win over Nebraska last season. That marked the second-most yards ever allowed by a Cornhuskers defense, and the loss threw an early wrench into their BCS bowl plans. UCLA used that triumph as a springboard to a strong campaign and hopes to turn the same trick in 2013.

TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Nebraska -4.5

ABOUT UCLA (1-0): The Bruins closed practice this week and kept the media away from the players in the wake of Pasquale’s tragic death. “Our players are dealing with it each in their own way,” coach Jim Mora said. “We think that’s the right way to do it.” Quarterback Brett Hundley, who passed for 274 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another pair of scores in the 58-20 win over Nevada, confounded the Nebraska defense with his run-pass skills, throwing four touchdown passes and rushing for 53 yards. Hundley could be guiding an even more explosive offense in 2013 after racking up 647 total yards against the Wolfpack.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (2-0): The Cornhuskers have their own dual-threat quarterback in Taylor Martinez, who rushed for 112 yards and passed for 179 in the loss to the Bruins last year. Martinez ripped off a 92-yard touchdown run in that game but also was intercepted and tackled in the end zone for a safety. Nebraska will run two new defensive linemen at Hundley - sophomore defensive end transfer Randy Gregory and freshman tackle Maliek Collins - as it searches for ways to keep him in the pocket and under pressure.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UCLA will wear a patch with Pasquale’s No. 36 the rest of the season and Nebraska will wear a No. 36 sticker on its helmets during the contest.

2. The Cornhuskers are looking for their fifth straight home win against a ranked team.

3. The Bruins are just 9-7 in non-conference road games since 2000.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 35, UCLA 30