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UCLA’s defense befuddled by another backup quarterback in loss to Nebraska

It’s a tradition unlike any other, one that UCLA would like to mercifully end as quickly as possible.

A backup quarterback, making his first career start, proves unstoppable against the Bruins.

It happened again Saturday at the Rose Bowl, Nebraska’s TJ Lateef joining a group that over the years has included Utah’s Kendal Thompson, Arizona State’s Mike Bercovici and Arizona’s Grant Gunnell, among others.

It was a heartwarming story for Lateef, the Compton native and former Orange Lutheran High star.

Not so much for the team he repeatedly befuddled.

With its defense continually missing tackles and appearing a step slow, UCLA put up little resistance until the final minutes of a 28-21 loss before a season-high home crowd of 44,481 that featured as much red as blue.