Still not ready: Nebraska wilts late under the bright lights of Big Ten opener
Nebraska Falls to Illinois in Overtime Big Ten Opener #
The Nebraska Huskers suffered a disappointing 31-24 overtime loss to Illinois in their Big Ten opener, despite the excitement surrounding the 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium.
The game ended in a deflating fashion for Nebraska, with Illinois scoring quickly in overtime and then sacking the Huskers’ quarterback three times. Nebraska’s QB threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns, but the team’s performance faltered in crucial moments.
The Huskers struggled in several areas:
- They were out-rushed 79 yards to 1 in the fourth quarter
- Illinois imposed its physicality after halftime
- Nebraska’s kicking game underperformed
- The Huskers’ defensive intensity decreased as the game progressed
This loss continues some unfortunate streaks for Nebraska:
- They haven’t scored in overtime since 2014, spanning eight games
- They haven’t beaten an AP-ranked team since 2016, a streak of 25 consecutive losses
The game was seen as an opportunity for Nebraska to announce its return as a contender, but the team fell short. Fans left the stadium feeling the familiar disappointment that has accompanied seven consecutive losing seasons.
Nebraska played without its starting left tackle, who was injured in the first quarter. Their top cornerback also went down in the first half. These injuries impacted the team’s performance, particularly in overtime when the offensive line struggled.
Defensive mistakes also proved costly, with four 15-yard penalties on three Illinois scoring drives. Special teams errors, including a 37-yard punt return allowed, further hindered Nebraska’s efforts.
Despite some strong individual performances, including the quarterback’s 297 yards and three touchdowns, and contributions from transfer players, Nebraska couldn’t secure the victory.
The team now faces a challenging schedule ahead, starting with an away game at Purdue next week. While the coaching staff maintains that they’re not a bad football team, the loss highlights that there’s still work to be done to become a consistently winning program.