Illinois’ second-half game plan against Nebraska wasn’t a surprise.
After the Illini had 37 rushing yards at halftime, NU was ready for a quicker tempo after the break, more hurrying up to the line of scrimmage and run-pass options.
Illinois adjusted as expected, but the Huskers didn’t execute.
For the second week in a row, Nebraska struggled to tackle in space. The Huskers missed 11 tackles against Illinois, continuing a trend that began a week earlier against Northern Iowa when they missed nine, according to Pro Football Focus. Nebraska missed 11 total in the first two weeks of the season against UTEP and Colorado.
Nebraska’s Mikai Gbayor (42) chases down Illinois’ Collin Dixon (17) in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
“They adjusted as the game went on and they just found more runs,” NU coach Matt Rhule said. “They ran some crack tosses. They ran some different things, and really at the end of the day, we didn’t get off blocks and we didn’t win third down.
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“We’re just not tackling at the level that we’ve seen us tackle at and getting off blocks at the level we’ve shown before.”
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks at a news conference on Monday.
Photos: Nebraska football vs. Illinois in 400th home sellout — Sept. 20
Illinois’ Tanner Arkin scores against Nebraska in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska defenders, including Isaac Gifford (left), Nebraska’s Ceyair Wright (right) and Princewill Umanmielen (back) tackle Illinois’ Aidan Laughery in the fourth quarter on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Luke Lindenmeyer (44) stretches out but can’t grab a potential go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of NU’s loss to Illinois on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Janiran Bonner (16) scores a touchdown past Illinois’ Terrance Brooks (8) in the fourth quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Mikai Gbayor (42) chases down Illinois’ Collin Dixon (17) in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Husker fans in the East stadium hold up colored cards to celebrate the 400th sellout game on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
The Huskers come out of the tunnel before the game against Illinois on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (13) kicks the ball during warmups before the game on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Fans hold up cards to spell out “400th sellout 1962-2024” in the east on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (left) picks up a pass in front of Illinois’ Terrance Brooks in the third quarter on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (right) is tackled by Illinois’ Xavier Scott in the third quarter on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (left) is tackled by Illinois’ Xavier Scott (back) and Terrance Brooks (right) in the third quarter on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Janiran Bonner (right) scores a fourth quarter touchdown against Illinois next to teammate Dylan Raiola, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Gunnar Gottula picks up teammate Dylan Raiola after a sack by Illinois in the fourth quarter on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Mikai Gbayor (left) tries to stop Illinois’ Aidan Laughery in the fourth quarter on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) watches a lightshow take place between the third and fourth quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) watches a lightshow take place between the third and fourth quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) hurdles over Illinois’ Miles Scott (10) in the fourth quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Ceyair Wright (15) and Isaac Gifford (2) tackle Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) as he runs the ball in the third quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ Aidan Laughery (21) is tackled by Nebraska’s Mikai Gbayor (42) in the third quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule calls a time out in the fourth quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ Matthew Bailey (7) and Miles Scott (10) attempt to tackle Nebraska’s Thomas Fidone (24) as he runs the ball in the first quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ Brandon Henderson (94) scores a touchdown past Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (2) in the third quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule argues a call with game officials in the second quarter against Illinois on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
A pass slips past Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) as he is defended by Illinois’ Terrance Brooks (8) on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s John Hohl misses a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is sacked by Illinois’ Dylan Rosiek in the game-ending play Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is sacked by Illinois’ Dennis Briggs (back) and Seth Coleman in the overtime, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is sacked by Illinois’ Dylan Rosiek in the game-ending play Friday.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer looks to pass during the first half of Friday’s game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.
Illinois’ Kellen Francis (65) holds Nebraska’s MJ Sherman (48) as he tries to get past the offensive line in the third quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule runs his fingers through his hair after a touchdown is ruled an interception in the second quarter against Illinois on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule helps DeShon Singleton (8) off the field after he appears to suffer an injury on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Elijah Jeudy (16) furrows his brow as he exits through the tunnel after an overtime loss to Illinois on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
A field goal kicked by Nebraska is called no good in the second half against Illinois on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Former Husker men’s basketball player Keisei Tominaga cheer up the fans against Illinois on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell jumps through a tackle against Illinois in the first quarter, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola runs with the ball facing Illinois’ Miles Scott and Terrance Brooks Friday at Memorial Stadium.
The giant card stunt celebrating Nebraska football’s 400 sellout game is seen during the Illinois game on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football celebrates the 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium with a “card stunt” on Friday vs. Illinois.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor celebrates his first quarter touchdown against Illinois, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s John Hohl (right) kicks a field goal against Illinois from the hold of Brian Buschini in the first quarter on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell gets a first down against Illinois in the first quarter, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola signals against Illinois, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s John Bullock (left) brings down Illinois’ Kaden Feagin in the first quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Marques Buford (left) defends against Illinois’ Pat Bryant on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Medical staff check on Nebraska’s Turner Corcoran (69) after he appreas to suffer an injury against Illinois on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ Ryan Meed (34) and Gabe Jacas (17) attmept to tackle Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) as he runs the ball in the second quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) watch a replay on the videoboard during the game against Illinois on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ Terrance Brooks (8) readies himself to tackle Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) as he runs the ball in the second quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ Miles Scott (10) hits Nebraska’s Jacory Barney (17) after a catch in the second quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Marques Buford (3) celebrates after a fumble by Illinois in the first quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ Xavier Scott (14) is stiff-armed by Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) as he runs the ball in the second quarter on Friday.
Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton (8) and Cameron Lenhardt (11) celebrate recovering a fumble from Illinois in the first quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) holds up the ball after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ Torrie Cox (5) defends Nebraska’s Jahmal Banks (4) as he makes a catch in the second quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) catches a touchdown in the first quarter while defended by Illinois’ Matthew Bailey (7) on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton (8) recovers an Illinois fumble, forced by John Bullock (5), in the first quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ Torrie Cox (5) intercepts a pass intended for Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) in the second quarter on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Fans wait for the Illinois game to start under a patch of light, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Joel Davies of Lincoln tailgates with his hat filled with pins before the Illinois game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
A swath of light illuminates Nebraska players as they make their way into the stadium while participating in the Legacy Walk on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska players make their way into the stadium as they participate in the Legacy Walk on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Fans line up along the side of the University of Nebraska Athletics Hall of fame as the Nebraska players participate in the Legacy Walk on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska players make their way into the Osborne Legacy Complex after participating in the Legacy Walk on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Fans line up along the side of the University of Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame as the Nebraska players participate in the Legacy Walk on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Fans tailgate outside the east of the stadium on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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