CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Heinrich Harberg threw for 154 yards and rushed for a team-leading 82 yards and a touchdown as Nebraska beat Illinois 20-7 on Friday night.
Illinois honored former Illini football star Dick Butkus, who passed away Thursday at age 80, with a number of tributes including a moment of silence before the game and a video tribute at halftime.
Seven receivers caught passes from Harberg, who was 12 of 24 passing. His 25-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was Nebraska’s second TD in 10 seconds.
Nebraska (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten Conference) stopped Illinois twice inside the Huskers’ 1 on the Illini’s first drive of the game, as Luke Altmyer and Reggie Love III both failed to reach the end zone.
For Illinois coach Bret Bielema, the failed scoring drive was emblematic of the Illini’s offensive struggles this season.
“It’s crazy and infuriating that we can’t gain six inches in two games,” he said. “I’ve been coaching for 15 years and I’ve never been frustrated. We keep having the same problems. We’ve got to make changes. We’ve got to change the equation.”
The Huskers returned to the field after stopping Illinois and scored on a 31-yard field goal by Tristan Alfano.
Nebraska coach Matt Rohl believed the goal line position and field goal set the tone for the game.
“After what happened last week (45-7 home loss to No. 2 Michigan) this was a great start,” he said. “It was exactly what we needed. That’s a good win in the Big Ten when you give up seven points on the road to a team that doesn’t hustle most of the time.”
For Nebraska defensive back Isaac Gifford and offensive lineman Bryce Beinhart, the win was a huge relief.
“We had something to prove,” Gifford said. “We didn’t play our best game last week in any way, shape or form.”
“It was fun because we played as a team. Everyone contributed,” Beinhardt said.
Illinois (2-4, 0-3) entered the game having scored just 10 points in the first quarter all season. The Illini failed to add to that total due to the Huskers standing on the goal line.
Nebraska took a 17-0 lead with a rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
Anthony Grant jumped into the end zone from one yard out, completing a 14-play, 79-yard drive that took 6:38.
After Nebraska recovered the ensuing kickoff, a short punt in the face of a strong wind that Illinois mishandled, Harberg ran untouched into the end zone.
The Illini scored their only touchdown with 1:31 remaining in the first half when Pat Bryant battled Quinton Newsome and caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Altmyer.
A 55-yard field goal attempt by Illinois’ Caleb Griffin in the final seconds of the half fell just short even with a stiff breeze at his back.
Nebraska’s Phelan Sanford forced a fumble by Griffin Moore after receiving a pass early in the third quarter and Tommy Hill recovered and ran to the Illinois 13, setting up a 32-yard field goal by Alfano, the only scoring of the turnover-filled second half. .
A blocked penalty by Nebraska’s Blaise Gunnerson on Illinois’ next possession gave the Huskers the ball at the Illinois 18, but Alfano missed a 36-yard field goal.
Newsome avenged Bryant’s TD give-up when he intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 39 yards. Grant’s fumble ended Nebraska’s drive at the Illinois 15.
Altmyer was 29-for-47 passing for 288 yards and a touchdown.
Greetings Butkus
Illini players wore stickers on their helmets, and coaches had the initials “DB” on their windbreakers. The 50 yard markers on the field are marked in orange. This was Butkus’ uniform number when he played for Illinois. His number was retired in 1986. Fans were asked to visit the statue of Butkus outside the stadium and leave flowers. A two-time consensus All-American and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Butkus played at quarterback and linebacker for the Illini.
One play and one out
Nebraska’s Marcus Washington caught a 39-yard pass from Harberg to get the Huskers out of the shadow of the end zone in the first quarter. He suffered a knee injury in the next game, was helped off the field by his teammates, and did not return to the game.
Hot and cold
After playing Michigan in 90-degree weather in Lincoln last week, the Huskers faced fall-like weather in Champaign as temperatures dipped into the high 40s for the second half of the nearly four-game set and strong winds blew in from the west, knocking down punts. in this direction.
Nebraska takeaway: The victory propels the Huskers into the Big Ten West title picture. After a bye week next week, Nebraska hosts Big Ten West rivals Northwestern and Purdue and then travels to Michigan State, all teams with losing records.
Illinois: The Illini offense continues to struggle and suffer from costly turnovers. Illinois couldn’t keep up its ground game against Nebraska, rushing for just 21 yards.
the next
Nebraska: The Huskers have a bye week before hosting Northwestern.
Illinois: The Illini will play at Maryland next Saturday.
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football And NCAA College Football Rankings: Top 25 AP Football Poll
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