The drought in ranked vs. ranked matchups for Nebraska football continues.
No. 24 Illinois knocked off No. 22 Nebraska 31-24 in overtime Friday. The game marked the 400th consecutive sellout for Memorial Stadium, and the first loss for the Big Red in a milestone game (ending in 00 or 50).
The Husker offense took some time to get going, punting after a single first down on the opening drive. The next offensive possession saw a more than eight-minute drive end with a short field goal.
The field goal was an answer to Illinois racing downfield for an easy touchdown on their opening drive. The next possession wasn’t so successful, as Blackshirt John Bullock ripped the ball free. The Big Red scored a touchdown four plays later.
After Illinois tied the game 10-10 with their own field goal, Nebraska looked to be answering with another scoring drive. Dylan Raiola threw a beautiful ball to the end zone but the Illini defender ripped the ball from Isaiah Neyor, giving the freshman QB a second tough-luck interception in as many games.
The Illini did nothing with the extra possession, coming up short on a fourth down in Nebraska territory.
With 3:22 to go in the half, NU burned 3:06 and got a highlight-reel touchdown catch from Neyor to take the lead into halftime.
Out of the break, the teams exchanged punts before scoring a trio of touchdowns in a row, with two going to Illinois. A quick three-and-out later, and Illinois had the ball with under nine minutes to go and a chance to take the lead.
Instead, Husker defensive back Ceyair Wright sacked Altmyer, stripping the ball in the process. The Huskers now had the ball, and momentum, to retake the lead.
The Huskers ran off more than five minutes of clock on the possession. On third and three from the Illinois 21, Raiola missed Luke Lindenmeyer in the end zone. The ensuing field goal attempt from John Hohl missed wide.
Illinois was able to run the clock to under 30 seconds before being forced to punt. Nebraska elected to kneel and run out the clock, sending the game to overtime.
The Illini had the ball first in the extra period and scored on two plays. Nebraska went backward immediately with a false start. Quarterback Dylan Raiola was then sacked twice. After picking up 13 yards on third down, Raiola was sacked again to end the game.
Illinois improves to 4-0 on the year. Nebraska falls to 3-1.
Raiola finished 24-for-35 passing, with three touchdowns and an interception. He was sacked six times. Altmyer completed 21-of-27 passes for 215 yards and four scores, getting sacked just twice.
NU managed just 48 yards on the ground, but that includes the 52 yards lost on sacks. Dante Dowdell had 20 carries for 74 yards.
IU ran for 166 yards.
Nebraska had two receivers near the 100-yard mark. Jahmal Banks had eight receptions for 94 yards while Neyor reeled in four catches for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Huskers go on the road next Saturday to face Purdue.
Nebraska Athletics Notes
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