Huskers vs. Illinois Review: Quotes, Notes and Thoughts on Friday’s 31-24 Nebraska Loss

The Huskers athletic department does a damned good job of putting excessive info out there for the media. In addition, there’s always plenty of quotes from the post-game presser, so I figured why not share some of that stuff with faithful CN readers?

Of course, their job is to not portray the Huskers in any sort of negative way and nor should they. Not that it’s really our job either, but it’s fair to point out possible issues without being a dick – or trying really hard, anyway – so there might be a comment or two involved.

Is there any danger in premiering something like this after a loss? Seven hells, we might never win another meaningful game every time I do this!!!

Relax, I’m not promising to eat dog shit or do weird burrito things like the guy below. Everyone knows 100% not following up on such horrifying vows of self-abuse can kill a program quicker than having sex in a horror movie and I’m not doing that.

We’ll be fine.

(No bowling for Florida St. until that deleted Twitter guy mans up. Also, Step Brothers is an American classic.)

So just in case the Will Ferrell GIF still has you queasy, let’s get to scrolling down to the fun stuff.

POST-GAME QUOTES

(These are never fun after a loss, but everyone’s head seemed to be in the right place. Consider also they start rolling everyone out about 10 minutes after the final gun, so everything is still pretty raw.)

Matt Rhule:

“Ah that’s a tough loss. (For them) To win the game in overtime. Disappointing. It’s something we certainly have to learn from.”

“We predicted that they would come out and be spread, no huddle like they were. The second half they had long yards rushing. I think at half they ran for over 100 yards. Just like they (Northern Iowa) did last week.” Many said not to worry, but UNI’s ability to extend drives was a huge warning light. Another one is the coaches were aware of the issue, but it still shone for the 2nd straight week – more on that tomorrow.

“We didn’t seem to be the more physical team.” They weren’t and coach didn’t try to gloss over it.

“We did win the turnover battle today. Defense took the ball away twice today, could not get off the field.” Turnover improvement remains an upside.

““We had good resolve last year. Tonight was disappointing. Last year I never felt like we got pushed around too much.” The most genuinely confusing thing about the game for me. This was a full 180 from last year where physicality was concerned. Rhule genuinely appeared a little baffled.

“I don’t think the offense was much of the issue. They were loading up the box. They couldn’t cover us. I didn’t feel like they could cover us. I think the issue was, like last week, was we didn’t get the ball.” The Lindenmeyer miss and OT blocking were harped on, but if the defense can just get a few stops, this has been a 40+ point offense. If defensive can issues can be fixed or even just slightly improved…

Marques Buford Jr.

“I feel like if the offense scores 24 points we need to win the game.” The offense and defense do seem truly committed to playing for each other. “We need to give them the best chance to do well,” types of comments like these are now common.

Ty Robinson

“That was a Big Ten game right there. That’s like the typical going down to the last play type deal. It hurts because we really kind of beat ourselves. Especially on defense. What’s awesome is we get to come back next week and clean up a lot of the mistakes we saw on the field, and get better.” The overriding emotion among the players was similar – let it sit for a day or two then put it in the rear view and improve. Didn’t always seem to be so under previous staffs.

Isaiah Neyor

“(To the younger players) Keep your head up. There’s a lot of football left to be played. Things didn’t go our way but we have to go out and correct what needs to be corrected. And understand that there’s a lot of football left to be played. Let’s just go back. Watch the film. See what we need to do and try to go 1-0 next week.” We’re really going to miss him a Jahmal Banks.

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Dylan Railoa

“(On missing Lindenmeyer.) I’ll take this game on my back and I have to get better and be better for our team.”

“It’s not really the defense’s fault. It’s our job to score regardless of circumstances. I think our defense played very well. There’s little things that we want to obviously get back and change the game.”

Own everything, blame no one, get better. Not a bad mantra.

NOTES FROM HALFTIME AND POST-GAME

• Tonight’s game marked the first non-Black Friday weekday game at Memorial Stadium since Sept. 20, 2001, against Rice. That game was originally scheduled for Sept. 15, 2001, but was postponed following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
• Nebraska’s 18-play first quarter drive that ended in a field goal was Nebraska’s longest in terms of plays since a 19-play touchdown drive at Illinois in the 2021 season opener.
• Illinois had a field goal in the second quarter to tie the game at 10-10. That was the first points Nebraska has allowed in the second quarter in 2024. The Huskers have outscored opponents 58-3 in the second quarter and 86-13 in the first half. I professed not enjoying the offensive shutdown in the opening 3 games – I understand the reasons against, but I feel the “go for the throat” mindset is something which should be worked on, not assumed it can be turned on and off.
• Nebraska opened Big Ten Conference play at home for the first time since 2017. Nebraska fell to 6-8 in Big Ten openers, including 4-1 in Big Ten openers played at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska is 3-3 in Big Ten openers against Illinois.
• Raiola’s three touchdown passes marked the first time a Husker has thrown for three TDs since Casey Thompson at Iowa in 2022. These will not be uncommon this season. There will a price for loading the box and daring us to pass this season.
• Senior receiver Isaiah Neyor had a 6-yard TD reception in the first quarter and an 11-yard TD catch in the second quarter, giving him a team-leading four touchdown receptions this season. Neyor finished the game with four catches for 90 yards. He also tied his career high with two touchdowns catches. Neyor had catches of 44 and 29 yards in the second half and has three catches this season of at least 29 yards. He entered tonight’s game averaging 20.4 yards on his 65 career catches.
• Senior linebacker John Bullock finished with a career-high-tying nine tackles, including a sack. He also forced a first-quarter Illini fumble that resulted in a Nebraska touchdown. Bullock’s forced fumble was the second of his career. Bullock has leveled up this season.

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• Illinois’ TD drive on its first series of the game marked the first time in 11 games the opposition has scored a touchdown on its first possession. But the 2nd consecutive game Illinois marched down the field on the Blackshirts. (Stopped last season on the goal line stand of the season)
• Illinois was just the second team in 11 home games under Coach Matt Rhule to score more than 14 points against Nebraska.

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Nebraska Cornhuskers

Illinois Fighting Illini

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