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Nebraska’s offense, special teams struggle as Illinois beats Huskers 30-22 in season opener | Football



The offense, led by Artur Sitkowski after Brandon Peters suffered an arm injury on a sack in the first half, went 75 yards over 8:06 and 14 plays thanks to 10 rushes and four completions for 34 yards, capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Ford. 

After a three-and-out from the Huskers, who called only two rushing plays between the 9:15 mark of the second quarter and the final 35 seconds of the the third quarter, Sitkowski hit Deuce Spann for 45 yards over Marquel Dismuke’s coverage and set up a short touchdown run for a 30-9 lead with 4:01 remaining in the third quarter. 

Martinez took the first play of the ensuing drive 75 yards for a touchdown and the defense got off the field thanks to a Damion Daniels deflection late in the third quarter, giving Nebraska a chance to climb closer early in the fourth quarter. 

An offensive pass interference penalty and a holding call, though, were too much to overcome and the Huskers couldn’t draw closer on that drive. 

The Huskers scored with 2:41 to go, but Culp missed his second extra point of the day and NU still trailed 30-22. 

Penalties, an untimely turnover from the quarterback, a bad snap, poor execution on either side of halftime, a couple of special teams gaffes, and a division opponent that imposed its will in the second half. 



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