TJ Lateef Ignites the Husker Offense in Pasadena

by T.J. Birkel

The Nebraska football team bounced back in a major way on Saturday night, taking the fight to the UCLA Bruins from the outset. The Huskers scored on their first drive of the game and, other than a 2 minute, 13 second period of time when it was tied 7-7, led for the rest of the game. True freshman TJ Lateef shined in his first start as a Cornhusker, playing confident and fearless and showing off his athleticism in leading the Big Red to victory. The win is a major shot of momentum for Matt Rhule’s program, and a major bounce back after the heartbreaking loss to USC. We cover it all in the Topline Takeaways.

CHEERS TO THAT

TEEEEEEEEJ! TJ Lateef had his coming out party at the Rose Bowl, not far from where he starred as a high school athlete. I was in the house for this particular game, and when Lateef took off and ran for a 1st down on the first play from scrimmage, you could feel a jolt of energy run through the Nebraska fans in attendance. Husker fans do love our running quarterbacks, don’t we?

Lateef completed 13 passes on 15 attempts for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran five times for 31 yards. Much more importantly though, he ran the offense with cool, calm and confidence. His running ability seemed to open things up for Dana Holgorsen’s offense, which eclipsed 300 total yards for just the first time in the last four games. The stage wasn’t too big for Lateef; on a night when Matt Rhule and the Huskers really needed a win, the freshman was the man for the job.

Certainly, the young QB will face tougher defenses against Penn State and Iowa, and possibly during the bowl game as well. But I could not be more excited to watch him face those challenges; something tells me he’ll be up for the job.

Emmett, the Man Who Can Do it All. 129 yards rushing. 103 yards receiving. Three touchdowns. There are not enough words in the English dictionary to describe how valuable Emmett Johnson has been…

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