No. 24 Illinois Humbles No. 22 Nebraska 31-24 in Overtime

© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

It took just two plays into overtime for the No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten Conference) to defeat the No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) 31-24 on Sept. 20 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.

Underdog Illinois: Now Top Dog

The Fighting Illini entered as an 8.5-point underdog against Nebraska. But Illinois delivered the first blow on a quick 6-play scoring drive covering 78 yards. Wide receiver Pat Bryant made a 27-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Luke Altmyer. Nebraska took a 10-7 lead right before the first quarter ended. Quarterback Dylan Raiola completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaiah Neyor. On the ensuing drive, Illinois kicker David Olano kicked a 26-yard field goal through the uprights. But it also looked like the Cornhuskers were ready to take the lead.

Head-Turning Interception

Nebraska was at the Illini 36-yard-line. Raiola dropped back and fired a 36-yard pass to Neyor in the end zone. But Illinois cornerback Torrie Cox Jr. came off the ground with the ball after wrestling it away from Neyor on the ground. The call on the field was originally a touchdown. But upon review, it was the second interception thrown by Raiola on the season. 

At this time, momentum was swinging to Illinois’ side. But on a fourth-and-8 at the Nebraska 33-yard line, the Illini elected to go for it. Altmyer was flushed out of the pocket and, while trying to escape, had his facemask pulled. But there was no call and Nebraska took over at the 30-yard line. Nebraska took a 17-10 lead heading into halftime after Raiola hit Neyor for an 11-yard TD pass.

In the third quarter, Illinois tied it up at 17 on an Altmyer 3-yard pass to Tanner Arkin. As the fourth quarter started, Raiola connected with Janiran Bonner for a 1-yard TD pass to give Nebraska a 24-17 edge. A little over 4 minutes later, Altmyer threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Brandon Henderson. This tied the game up at 24-24.

The Cornhuskers' defense got the ball back thanks to a strip sack. Raiola took the Nebraska offense down the field to the Illini 21-yard-line. Regular Nebraska kicker Tristan Alvano was listed as questionable heading into Friday night's game. He was not available, so kicking duties fell to John Hohl. He lined up for a 38-yard field goal from the left-hash for Nebraska. But his kick sailed wide left, giving Illinois a chance to take the lead. 

Overtime Stand

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule’s defense stiffened as Illinois’ offense took the ball down to the Nebraska 48, but they’d move no further. The game went into overtime with Illinois in search of a statement win. Nebraska looked to just survive. It took two plays for Altmyer to throw a 4-yard touchdown to Bryant for the go-ahead score. After a false start penalty, the Cornhuskers never got close. On first-and-15, Raiola was sacked. Three plays later, Raiola was sacked on fourth-and-29 to end the game. 

For Illinois, it probably will move up in The Associated Press Top 25 Poll. The Illini were ranked as high as No. 16 back in 2022. Illinois goes to State College, Pa., for a game against the current No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) on Sept. 28. 

For Nebraska, it hits the road to play the Purdue Boilermakers in West Lafayette, Ind., at noon EST on Sept. 28 at Ross-Ade Stadium.