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Nebraska (5-7) vs. UCLA (8-4), 9:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: UCLA by 6 1/2.
Series Record: Tied 6-6.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The Cornhuskers made a bowl in coach Mike Riley's first season despite a losing record and look to end the year on a positive note. The Bruins had hoped to play at Levi's Stadium earlier this month in the Pac-12 title game but fell short and are settling for a trip here for the bowl.
KEY MATCHUP
UCLA RB Paul Perkins vs. Nebraska run D. Perkins became the first UCLA player to lead the Pac-12 in rushing since DeShaun Foster in 2001. Perkins ran for 1,275 yards and ranks third in school history with 3,423 in his career. The Huskers allowed just 113.4 yards rushing per game his season, third best in the Big Ten and eighth best in the nation.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nebraska: QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. Armstrong became the third Nebraska quarterback to pass for at least 2,000 yards in two separate seasons and needs just 144 yards to join Zac Taylor and Joe Ganz as the only 3,000-yard passers in school history.
UCLA: QB Josh Rosen. Rosen had one of the most prolific seasons for a Bruins quarterback as a freshman. His 3,349 yards passing and 266 completions rank third in school history. He also is tied for ninth with 20 TD passes.
FACTS & FIGURES
UCLA swept a home-and-home between the teams in 2012-13. ... The Huskers got a bowl bid despite a losing record when all 80 slots couldn't be filled by six-win teams. ... Nebraska is playing in its 52nd bowl, third most of any school. The Cornhuskers are 25-26. ... Cornhuskers have lost four of their past five bowl games. ... Nebraska's seven losses were by a combined 31 points. The first five were decided by 13 points. ... UCLA is looking for its third straight bowl win, which would be team's longest streak since eight-gamer from the 1983 Rose Bowl to 1991 John Hancock Bowl. ... Bruins have won 11 straight nonconference games. ... UCLA WR Jordan Payton needs two catches to become first Bruin with 200 career receptions.
