LINCOLN, Neb. — In real time, it took longer than it takes to order and eat a Runza. In game-time minutes, it lasted longer than most press conferences.

In number of plays, it was nearly twice as long as Nebraska’s average this season.

Nebraska’s 18-play pilgrimage to retake the lead 17-16 against Illinois last Saturday spanned half of the third quarter and a chunk of the fourth and possibly saved the season.

Because without that drive, Nebraska maybe loses to Illinois, which would have had a drastic ripple effect on not only Nebraska’s chances of winning the Big Ten West but the overall psyche of Husker Nation.

The drive consumed 10 minutes, 42 seconds of game clock, 30 minutes of real time and had all the elements of this 2016 Nebraska team. Tough runs. Young players making plays. Rolling the dice on fourth down.

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