Johnathan Franklin keeps chasing UCLA’s rushing record

Running back Johnathan Franklin continued chasing UCLA’s career rushing record held by Gaston Green, who gained 3,731 yards from 1984 to 1987.

Franklin gained 217 yards Saturday to pass Theotis Brown into seventh-place on the all-time list. Franklin has 3,100 yards in three-plus seasons. Skip Hicks (1993-97) is sixth with 3,140 yards.

It was the third 200-yard game of Franklin’s career, tying him with Karim Abdul-Jabbar and Green for the most for a UCLA running back.

Nebraska allowed only two runs longer than 30 yards last season. Franklin had two in one game, with 36- and 54-yard runs. He also caught a nine-yard touchdown pass.

UCLA had 344 yards rushing.

Injury report

UCLA cornerback Sheldon Price and Y-back Darius Bell did not suit up against Nebraska.

Price, a senior starter, was light-headed during the week and sat out two days of practice. Andrew Abbott shifted from safety to replace him, with freshman Randall Goforth filling Abbott’s spot.

Bell, a junior, is listed as the team’s starting Y-back. He sat out practice this week with what is believed to be a concussion.

“They will be fine,” Coach Jim Mora said.

Rex Burkhead sits

Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead, who suffered a left knee injury last week, did not play. Burkhead gained 1,357 yards in 2011.

Ameer Abdullah, his replacement, gained 119 yards in 16 carries, including touchdown runs of six and 17 yards.

Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez had 112 yards rushing.

He completed 17 of 31 passes for 179 yards.

Do-over

Mora tried to freeze kicker Brett Maher with three seconds left in the first half.

The Bruins called time out just before the snap on Maher’s 54-yard try.

The kick was good, but Maher had to try again. UCLA then called a second time out.

Finally, Maher was allowed to kick. He made the kick to tie the score, 24-24.

He is No. 2

If there was any doubt who UCLA’s backup quarterback is, it was made clear in the third quarter.

Richard Brehaut replaced Brett Hundley, who left the game because of a sprained ankle.

Hundley was injured scrambling for nine yards to the Nebraska 14.

Brehaut completed only one of four passes and the Bruins settled for a 22-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.

Kicker struggles

Fairbairn continued to struggle with consistency. He made field goals from 35 and 22 yards, but missed from 36 and 34 yards.

With the score tied late in the third quarter, 27-27, UCLA lined up for a 38-yard goal try. Instead, the Bruins shifted in an eclectic formation and Brehaut threw an incomplete pass.

Red zone

UCLA had a crowd of 71,530 for its opener, though that was propped up by a Nebraska contingent of between 20,000 to 25,000.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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