Nebraska-UCLA: Five things we learned, still don't know

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED

1. A power run offense just might work on an extended basis if executed properly. Nebraska’s opening touchdown drive is proof: The Huskers can embrace the ground game more in 2016 than they did in 2015, especially if Devine Ozigbo keeps improving.

2. Nebraska’s pass defense still stinks. The Huskers allowed freshman quarterback Josh Rosen to riddle them for several long gains. Rosen often threw in rhythm, as well. This unit isn’t there yet and needs to find itself in the offseason in a big way.

3. Tommy Armstrong knows how to make a statement. He certainly did Saturday night with on-point command of the offense, accurate passes and tough running. Don’t count out Armstrong as next year’s starter.

4. The targeting penalty, as written in the rulebook, is too broad and punishes good football plays. Nate Gerry’s ejection for what appeared to be a form tackle is safety concerns run amok. The solution is not to have Gerry ram his helmet into Paul Perkins’ belly. That’s worse for both parties.

5. NU’s special teams coordinator must clean up some mistakes. Bruce Read is paid a lot of money to make the Huskers’ special teams elite. Continued offsides penalties, a missed extra point and so-so kickoff coverage isn’t elite. Read isn’t much of a recruiter, so this unit must shine in 2016.

FIVE THINGS WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. Will Nebraska’s offensive braintrust stick to the run? It looked awfully good against UCLA, considering the Huskers ran for a season high against a Power Five defense.

2. Which players might transfer out of the program — or declare for the NFL draft — now that the Husker season has officially come to a close? Attrition is common annually with every program, but NU fans and media will be watching closely.

3. How does Nebraska finish up its recruiting class? In the second class in Riley’s tenure — call it the “regime change” class — NU still needs pass rushers and offensive tackles to commit to the Big Red.

4. After one of the Nebraska offensive line’s better nights, who steps up in the wake of senior departures? Time to see what guys like Jerald Foster, Paul Thurston, David Knevel and Jalin Barnett can truly do, since seniors Ryne Reeves, Zach Sterup and Alex Lewis are leaving. Who plays center? Thurston or Dylan Utter?

5. Who can possibly make up for the excellence of Andy Janovich? On Saturday night, he blocked, made good special teams plays and ran hard for the Huskers. NU doesn’t appear to have a fullback on the roster quite like him.