LINCOLN, Neb. — The pain lives.
Not a freshman phenom at quarterback, not a veteran-led defense, not a feeling of rejuvenation under second-year coach Matt Rhule, not even historic vibes provided by the 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium could carry Nebraska to victory Friday night in its Big Ten opener.
Illinois beat the Huskers 31-24 in overtime. It ended for Nebraska in disastrous, deflating fashion as the Illini struck in two plays in OT, then sacked QB Dylan Raiola three times.
Raiola, the new starter in his fourth game, carried the Huskers for much of Friday night. He threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns. But on fourth-and-29 in overtime, Raiola hit the turf hard as Illinois linebacker Dylan Rosiek pounded the final nail into this Nebraska defeat.
“We needed to make one more play in the fourth quarter,” Rhule said. “I know you’ve heard that a lot. But that’s where we are.”
Nebraska finished 40 yards short of a first down in overtime. It was out-rushed 79 yards to 1 in the fourth quarter. Illinois imposed its physicality on the Huskers after halftime. Nebraska’s kicking game let it down. The Huskers’ defensive intensity waned as the night progressed.
Illinois strikes first in overtime ‼️ @IlliniFootball #B1GFootball on @CFBONFOX 📺 pic.twitter.com/qi9J9pQAi9
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 21, 2024
Nebraska looked tired.
We were led to believe that this team had moved beyond much of that.
An opportunity arrived Friday. With a captive national audience on Fox and Rhule’s rebuild seemingly in full swing at a third school in the past decade, Nebraska missed the chance to announce its return as a contender.
So the wait continues. Nebraska (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) still hasn’t scored in overtime since 2014, a span of eight games. It still hasn’t beaten an AP-ranked team since 2016, a streak of 25 consecutive losses.
The No. 24-ranked Illini provided for No. 22 Nebraska what looked like the right opponent at the right time to make a jump. Before the Huskers could challenge Ohio State or USC, they had to clear this hurdle.
It appeared manageable.
In the end?
“It felt how it usually feels,” junior defensive back Marques Buford said.
As 86,936 filed out of Memorial Stadium, they felt the same sorrow that has filled this venue repeatedly during a stretch of seven consecutive losing seasons. The fans, on a night built for a celebration, played a co-starring role Friday.
Rhule said this week that he and the Huskers felt a responsibility to “do our part.”
Well, the fans showed up again, as they’ve done for 62 years. The drones and the light show at the start of the fourth quarter have never looked better.
#400 looks good on you Husker Nation. pic.twitter.com/KAYTSQQBW6
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) September 21, 2024
And the Huskers fell flat. The offensive line collapsed in overtime.
That’s harsh, yes.
Nebraska played without its starting left tackle, Turner Corcoran, who was hurt in the first quarter and did not return. Redshirt freshman Gunnar Gottula filled his spot and jumped early before the first OT snap. It started the Huskers’ final retreat.
Their top cornerback, Tommi Hill, went down in the first half. Newcomer Ceyair Wright filled Hill’s spot and played a part in the soft coverage by Nebraska that allowed Illinois — converting 40 percent of its third downs through three games — to go 9-for-16 on third- and fourth-down chances.
The defense allowed Luke Altmyer to hit 21 of 27 passes for 215 yards with four touchdowns. He threw a 6-yard TD in the fourth quarter to 335-pound offensive lineman Brandon Henderson on a fourth-and-2 rollout. Henderson reported to officials several times as an eligible receiver before he made that catch. It tied the score at 24 with 10 minutes to play in regulation.
The Huskers can’t let him run free. Someone on defense didn’t do their job.
Harsh? It’s real. It happened.
“It hurts, because we really just kind of beat ourselves,” senior defensive end Ty Robinson said.
Four times on three Illinois scoring drives that produced 17 points, Nebraska defenders committed 15-yard penalties — facemasks by Robinson and Buford, a hands-to-the-face call on defensive lineman Vincent Jackson and unnecessary roughness on linebacker MJ Sherman.
Just as bad, the special teams failed. Nebraska allowed a 37-yard punt return that set up an Illinois touchdown in the third quarter. Brian Buschini kicked it across the field, away from his coverage.
Can’t happen.
And when the defense did come up big in the fourth quarter, mistakes on offense and in the kicking game proved costly. The complementary style of football that served Nebraska well and signaled a program on the right track abandoned the Huskers in their time of need against Illinois.
Case in point: After Wright and linebacker Mikai Gbayor teamed to strip Altmyer and recover his fumble at the Nebraska 38-yard line with eight minutes to play in an even game, Raiola drove the Huskers to the Illinois 21.
On third-and-3 against a stacked box, Luke Lindenmeyer broke free behind the Illinois defense. Raiola spotted him, but his throw sailed slightly past the arms of the diving tight end.
“I missed the throw,” said Raiola, who finished 24-of-35 and led a masterful two-minute drill at the end of the first half. “I’ll take this game on my back. I’ve got to be better. I’ve got to do better for our team and put us in a chance to win.”
Backup kicker John Hohl then missed wide left from 39 yards, an attempt that would have put Nebraska on top with three minutes to play. Maybe a successful kick would have prevented overtime. Maybe it would have ultimately won the game.
Maybe it was that close. But after a dreadful overtime period, it didn’t feel like Nebraska was that close.
Nothing is assured as Nebraska heads to Purdue next week, then gets Rutgers at home and Indiana on the road before a formidable final stretch.
“I know that we can overcome adversity,” senior wide receiver Isaiah Neyor said. “Tough loss, but I believe in the guys that we’re going to forget.”
Neyor, a transfer from Texas, caught two touchdown passes.
Raiola ➡️ Neyor 🔥@HuskerFootball on top 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hNVhmmydsi
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2024
Wake Forest transfer Jahmal Banks caught eight passes for 94 yards. Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell led the Huskers in rushing with 72 yards. The future for Raiola, the former five-star prospect, looks as bright as it did before Friday.
Before momentum turned against him late, Raiola diagnosed the Illinois defense well and picked it apart at times.
“We’re not a bad football team,” Rhule said.
But still, after the promise and hope of a long offseason and three early victories, they’re not yet a winning football team.
(Photo of Illinois offensive lineman Brandon Henderson scoring as an eligible receiver against Nebraska: Steven Branscombe / Getty Images)
