Nebraska believes in backup QB TJ Lateef, but can the freshman beat UCLA?

Nebraska has no choice but to trust freshman quarterback TJ Lateef this Saturday as the Cornhuskers face the UCLA Bruins. During their loss to USC last week, Nebraska saw quarterback Dylan Raiola break his fibula, ending his season.

Matt Rhule expresses his belief in Lateef but at this point he has no other option

The Cornhuskers’ head coach Matt Rhule said all the right things about Lateef but the odds are stacked against him, with Nebraska likely to be without both of their starting tackles. Both tackles were injured in the Cornhuskers’ loss last week against USC.

Nebraska will adjust their gameplan to fit the dual-threat Lateef

“I think making sure we put together a plan and that he’s comfortable with everything he needs to do. As I said, guys are going to have to do a great job of being strong around him. Even in the game, he came out with a check down in the red zone and he saw zero, he checked it to a tunnel screen,” Rhule said of Lateef. “Jacory (Barney) is wide open and he would’ve walked it in, just dropped the snap. He’s mentally, though, at a really, really high level. He just needs reps. When you’re the backup quarterback, you’re getting reps but not as many. Now, he needs reps. Jalyn (Gramstad) needs reps. Anybody else we use at quarterback will need reps this week.”

Lateef has had success in his limited action

Lateef has seen a bit of action this season in relief duties, throwing for 261 yards and a touchdown on 16-19 passing. On the ground Lateef has picked up 50 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. Lateef has fumbled three times, all coming against the Trojans, but Nebraska was able to recover all three.

Dylan Raiola is a gamer

Rhule expressed his belief in Lateef and his admiration for Raiola’s toughness, who was trying to re-enter the game after breaking his leg.

“I believe 100% in TJ (Lateef) and what he’s going to get done and we’re going to put a great game plan together for him. I hate it for Dylan (Raiola). I love Dylan. If anyone says anything about Dylan just know this, the kid had a broken leg and he was warming up and begging me to play. That’s all you need to know about that kid to know who he is.” Rhule said.

UCLA needs to take advantage of the depleted Cornhuskers

Nebraska has the deck stacked against them, now it’s up to UCLA to make them pay.