Nebraska with uncertainty at kicker ahead of ranked matchup with Illinois

Tristan Alvano is listed as questionable on the Huskers’ pregame availability report, leaving unknown whether the true sophomore or redshirt freshman John Hohl will handle field-goal duties in a matchup of Top 25 schools.

Alvano, who has dealt with a groin injury for months, has hit 3 of 4 kicks — from 20, 31 and 21 yards — while missing from 32 against Colorado. The Omaha Westside product has converted all 12 of his extra-point tries. Hohl redshirted at Iowa Western a year ago after graduating from Lincoln Southwest and nailed his first extra point last week against Northern Iowa.

Hohl has also handled 12 kickoffs — punter Brian Buschini worked the other seven — with three touchbacks.

Also listed as out are cornerback Blye Hill and linebacker Javin Wright, two preseason projected starters who have yet to appear in a game this year because of injuries. Reserve defensive back Rahmir Stewart and No. 2 left guard Tyler Knaak — who plays behind starter Justin Evans — also won’t play.

Pregame warmups are taking on a different meaning in the first ranked-on-ranked collision at Memorial Stadium in 11 years with field temperatures reading 96 degrees an hour and a half before kickoff.

Nebraska is celebrating No. 400 in its sellout streak, with signs on elevators and the running count already updated on the East Stadium façade. The team is 7-0 in previous milestone games in the ongoing NCAA record including wins over ranked teams in 1987 (No. 3 UCLA), 1994 (No. 2 Colorado) and 2016 (No. 22 Oregon).

The victory over the Ducks remains the Huskers’ most recent positive outcome against a ranked foe. Big Red has dropped 23 such contests since then in a streak it hopes to celebrate ending. It has also dropped 21 in a row to Top 25 Big Ten teams (Michigan State 2015).