Nebraska’s physicality kept Illinois to 21 yards of rushing offense, as the Matt Rhule era earned its first road win and first Big Ten victory over Illinois on a windy Champaign Friday night, 20-7
The night started off with a tribute to Illini legend Dick Butkus, with a moment of silence to start the contest and highlights of Butkus throughout the game on the video board.
Illinois started off with the ball, grinding out a 14 play drive to start the game, before being stuffed twice at the goal line. The Huskers would take their first possession all the way down to the Illini 13, having to settle for a Tristan Alvano field goal.
Illinois would be forced to punt on their next three possessions, and Nebraska would take advantage in those two possessions. Nebraska would punch in a one yard score from Anthony Grant with roughly seven minutes to go in the half. The ensuing kickoff was muffed by the fighting Illini, and was recovered by Nebraska, and Heinrich Haarberg would only need six seconds to run another score from 25 yards out.
The Illini would get on the board before the end of the half, as Luke Altmyer would connect with Pat Bryant on a 46 yard touchdown pass. The Illini were close to adding another score, but a 55 yard field goal from Caleb Griffin was no good.
Illinois’ first two drives of the second half ended in nightmares for the Fighting Illini. A pass from Altmyer was complete to Griffin Moore, but Phalen Stanford forced Griffin to cough the ball up, and recovered by Tommi Hill. Alvano would convert that into a field goal from 32 yards out. The second drive ended for Illinois in a blocked punt, but Alvano could not convert from 36 yards out into the wind.
The fourth quarter started on a disastrous note, giving up the ball twice within two minutes. Emmett Johnson would fumble in the first drive of the quarter, and Haarberg would get intercepted by Xavier Scott on the ensuing Nebraska drive.
Quinton Newsome would take care of business on the next drive, stepping in front of an Altmyer pass. That drive would again end in a fumble, but Illinois would be stopped at the Nebraska 18 yard line to effectively end the game.
Haarberg went 12-24 passing for 154 yards and an interception. Thomas Fidone and Billy Kemp were his favorite targets, both catching three passes, with Fidone for 42 yards and Kemp for 26 yards. Haarberg added a rushing touchdown on 82 yards. Anthony Grant had 56 yards on 20 carries. Isaac Gifford led the defense with 8 tackles, while Jimari Butler had a solo sack, and teamed up with Princewill Umanmielen for another.
The Huskers are now 3-3, with a 1-2 record in the Big Ten West. Nebraska is off on a bye week this week, before hosting Northwestern on October 21. Illinois drops to 2-4 and travels to Maryland next week.
