For the second time in 2023, Illinois football played on Friday evening instead of the usual Saturday, hosting the Nebraska Cornhuskers and first-year head coach Matt Rhule. A day earlier, the high was 75 degrees and partly cloudy, but at kickoff on Friday, the weather became a major talking point as wind gusts hovered around 25 miles per hour with temperatures in the high 40s.
With the Big Ten schedule fully underway, the programs faced off with the hopes of earning their first conference win, especially after both were trounced a week prior. The Illini entered off a 44-19 loss in West Lafayette, Indiana, while the Cornhuskers were out clashed at home in a 45-7 loss to the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines. However, the visiting Cornhuskers came out on top in stunning fashion by a score of 20-7.
Before the game, the teams paid tribute to former Illinois linebacker Dick Butkus, who died at the age of 80 a day prior. Throughout the game, the stadium played highlights and tributes to the Illini Athletics Hall of Famer. In a statement released on Thursday, head coach Bret Bielema spoke highly of the late Illini legend.
“As the head coach of his alma mater that he loved, I had the great honor to meet Dick, one of my childhood idols, last September,” Bielema said. “He was an amazing person, as well as football player and a loyal Illini.”
The game kicked off with a familiar tone, as Illinois once again started with the ball after Nebraska deferred to the second half. This marks the sixth straight time since the beginning of the season where the Illini started the game on offense.
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Sophomore quarterback Luke Altmyer and the offense marched down the field on a six-minute drive that made it all the way to the Nebraska goal line. However, the Cornhuskers defense held strong, stuffing junior running back Reggie Love short of the touchdown.
“It gets to the point of ridiculousness,” Bielema said. “It’s absolutely maddening to not put it in from the one-foot line, I can’t describe how frustrated I am.”
Nebraska responded with some deep passes to get into Illinois territory, driving 86 yards before kicking a field goal to take a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter. The ensuing Illini drive went absolutely nowhere, aside from a holding penalty on the defense, which was the only first down they earned.
The Illini defense forced a quick three-and-out, returning the ball to their offense to start the second quarter. The Illini offense once again did nothing, forcing them to punt after gaining just two yards.
Nebraska came out on offense and started driving again, aided by a facemask penalty on the Illinois defense. The Cornhuskers went for it on fourth and five at midfield, converting for a first down inside Illini territory before eventually getting into the endzone to take a 10-0 lead. The scoring drive lasted over six minutes and took 14 plays.
The Illini desperately needed points on the following drive, but that drive never occurred. The kickoff following Nebraska’s touchdown was short, and a lack of communication led to a recovery by the kicking team at the Illinois 25-yard line. Nebraska immediately punched it in for a touchdown, taking a 17-0 lead in front of a stunned and embarrassed Illinois crowd, which started to make its way toward the exits halfway through the second quarter.
After a three and out by both offenses, Altmyer got another chance in the first half, with points being critical to staying in the game. Altmyer threw a dime to junior wide receiver Pat Bryant for a 46-yard touchdown that made it a 17-7 game with 91 seconds to go in the half. Illinois had another drive with 40 seconds left but couldn’t get anything out of it as the teams headed into the locker room with Nebraska leading 17-7.
Both teams came out of the locker room with a lot at stake, as the Illini defense stopped Nebraska from padding the lead. The Illini offense came on the field and converted a third and long on a catch and run from junior tight end Griffin Moore. However, Moore was popped from behind and coughed up the ball as Nebraska took possession deep in Illinois territory.
Nebraska went ahead and put up a field goal on the drive, taking a 20-7 lead halfway through the third quarter. Illinois proceeded to lose nine yards on first down, one yard on second down and throw an incomplete pass on third down, which necessitated another punt. The punt was blocked by Nebraska, giving the visitors excellent field position, but not before the referees issued a sideline warning.
The Cornhuskers missed a 36-yard field goal, giving Illini fans some hope as they watched their team trail 20-7. However, the Illini offense did nothing again, forcing a tired defense to take the field. The Cornhuskers got all the way to the Illini 12, before fumbling the ball. Illinois’ offense went three and out, punting it away again.
Senior offensive lineman Isaiah Adams spoke about how to recover from losses like this, talking about putting personal feelings aside in order to help the young players.
“(I) spend a lot of time with my family and (try to) stick with the guys,” Adams said. “Gotta lean on your brothers through this tough time and the other captains.”
The defense came up with an interception for the Illini, giving Altmyer and company another opportunity. The offense did not take advantage, as the story remained the same, this time an underthrown pass by Altmyer was easily picked off by Nebraska. The Cornhuskers salted away much of the remaining clock and picked up a big win.
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