Report Card: Illinois Fighting Illini 31, Huskers 24

I just couldn’t do it.

When Fox announced that they were pushing Nebraska’s home game against Illinois to Friday night, I had a dilemma. Which game do I skip? The Husker game or the high school game where my son would be performing at? There really wasn’t any hope of the high school game getting moved; the stadium was already in use on Thursday evening and all day Saturday.

I made the choice that was the right one for my family… and skipped my first Husker home game since 1998. (COVID season excepted) Really, I didn’t have a choice; first things first. And I had no regrets, even as the games started.

So I’m covering this one like a road game…though my viewing was a bit disjointed as I watched much of the fourth quarter of the Husker game live after returning from the high school game. Probably the worst part of the game, to be honest. Dylan Raiola fumbled twice on the first series I saw live, overthrew a wide open Luke Lindenmeyer who was in the end zone, and was sacked three times in overtime, losing 38 yards. (Seriously, third and 42?)

But a lot of credit goes to Bert Bielema and the Fighting Illini; I refer back to my preseason preview of Illinois and this quote:

Too many question marks on the defensive line and at receiver are the primary reasons the Illini are picked to finish 13th in the expanded Big Ten. I suspect the defensive line situation will fix itself faster, but if the Illini can come up with a serviceable passing game, the Illini could surprise a few opponents in 2024.

Well, Illinois’ Luke Altmyer is sixth in the Big Ten’s passer ratings, and leads the Big Ten with ten touchdown passes and no interceptions.

I dare say that’s a wee-bit better than serviceable.

And it was the Huskers that were surprised.

With that, it’s onto the report card. As always, your opinions are welcome in the comments.

QB: Dylan Raiola has looked so smooth and efficient, we sometimes forget he is a true freshman quarterback. Well, overtime reminded us of that fact loud and clear. Before that, Raiola made a bunch of throws the likes of which we had previously only seen completed AGAINST the Blackshirts. Grade: C

I-Back: Love seeing Dante Dowdell getting involved in the passing game with a couple of catches. Rahmir Johnson had a couple of nice runs as well this week. But the running game had trouble getting untracked, especially after Turner Corcoran got hurt. Grade: C-

Receivers; Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor had some beautiful catches. Contrary to some internet chatter I’ve seen, that interception by Torrie Cox was 100% the result of Cox’s effort and not what Neyor didn’t do. Grade: B-

OL: Being down to your third-team left tackle is never a good thing, but Gunnar Gottula did OK in regulation to replace Turner Corcoran, who Matt Rhule says may have suffered a significant injury. Not a great performance, but I also suspect, knowing Bielema’s record, Illinois might be one of the better defense’s Nebraska will face this season. Grade: D-

DL: The overall defense hasn’t matched the intensity of the Colorado game the last two weeks, and against Illinois, it cost Nebraska greatly. Illinois was able to run right up the gut at Nebraska much of the night, and that starts with the defensive line. Grade: D

LB: John Bullock has been one bright spot on defense the last couple of weeks, but leaky defense again this week. Grade: D

Secondary: For an Illinois team that didn’t have a lot of experienced receivers (outside of Pat Bryant), Illinois was way too productive passing the ball. Southern Cal transfer Ceyair Wright took full advantage of his opportunity to fill in for Tommi Hill and flashed multiple times. Grade: D+

Special Teams: Kicking issues probably are going to have to be expected as long as Tristan Alvano isn’t healthy; unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be great depth there. Brian Buschini’s strong leg appears to be back, but coverage remains a huge issue. I have a few thoughts…but I’m going to hold them because it is still just September. Grade: F

Overall: D+ Illinois looks legit, but this is a game Nebraska could have and arguably should have won. And the legacy of close losses reared it’s ugly head once again. Matt Rhule tried to spin weak second half performances earlier this season as simply trying to show how to win, but in this game, Nebraska needed to go out and win the game late, and failed miserably down the stretch. And the Ghost of Bo Pelini continues to haunt the Huskers as Nebraska has not scored a point in overtime since Kenny Bell’s game winner in Pelini’s final game with the Huskers.

10 years ago.

Not going to rehash that argument; it’s history. But in Big Ten play, Nebraska can’t just plan to Ferentz the game late to hold onto a win; at some point, Nebraska is going to need to make plays down the stretch to win a game, and this week, that failed miserably.