For the UCLA Bruins, Saturday was an emotional football game after having lost teammate Nick Pasquale, but they powered through to beat the Nebraska Huskers, 41-21 and dedicated the game to him.
“We got one for Nick … All I know, we got one for Nick,” head UCLA coach Jim Mora said from the field after the game.
UCLA Quarterback Brett Hundley had no words for how the team managed to pull off the day's defeat while dealing with the emotions of the loss.
“We just had to play," he said. "And we played for him. This was the game for him."
Pasquale was killed when he was struck by a car in an accident in his hometown early Sunday morning. He was 20 years old.
Students clad in Nebraska red released 200 blue and gold balloons during a moment of silence before the nationally-telecast game.
Nebraska football players had a "36" sticker on each helmet. UCLA players and coaches had a "36" patch on their uniforms and attire.
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Pasquale had played only one game for the Bruins before his death.
Pasquale was a walk-on freshman on the UCLA football squad as a wide receiver who came from a line of family members involved in athletics.
Pasquale was a former football Triton at San Clemente High School and his brother also played for San Clemente. His father is an assistant coach there.
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