No. 24 Illinois Pulls Off Upset Victory Over No. 22 Nebraska in Overtime Thriller
In a thrilling overtime matchup, the No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini shocked the No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers with a 31-24 win on the road. The Fighting Illini secured the victory with a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Luke Altmyer to Pat Bryant on just their second offensive play in overtime. This win marked Illinois’ second upset victory of the season, making it the first time since 2007 that the program has defeated two AP Top 25 opponents in a single season.
Illinois entered the game with a 3-0 record, coming off a 30-9 win over Central Michigan and a previous upset victory over then No. 19 Kansas. Altmyer was instrumental in the Fighting Illini’s success, completing 21 of 27 pass attempts for 215 yards and four touchdowns in the comeback win against Nebraska.
Despite a strong performance from Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, who finished with a career-high 297 passing yards and three touchdowns, the Cornhuskers fell short in overtime. Nebraska’s last points came on the opening play of the fourth quarter, and their struggles in overtime continued as they failed to score for the eighth consecutive game, dating back to 2014.
The loss to Illinois marks Nebraska’s 25th consecutive defeat against ranked opponents since the 2016 campaign. Additionally, the Cornhuskers have suffered 31 one-score defeats since 2018, the highest among FBS teams, with Iowa and Arkansas tied for second.
Looking ahead, Illinois (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) will face another tough test as they take on No. 10 Penn State on the road next Saturday. Nebraska (3-1, 0-1) will hit the road to face Purdue before hosting Rutgers on October 5th. The Fighting Illini will look to build on their momentum and continue their impressive start to the season.
Illinois’ Historic Win Stuns Nebraska
Illinois’ victory over Nebraska was not only a significant upset but also a historic moment for the Fighting Illini program. With their win over the Cornhuskers, Illinois secured their second victory over a ranked opponent this season, a feat they had not accomplished since 2007. The Fighting Illini’s 4-0 start to the season is their best since 2011, showcasing their potential for success in the Big Ten.
The game against Nebraska showcased Illinois’ resilience and ability to come through in clutch moments. Luke Altmyer’s performance at quarterback was particularly impressive, as he led the team to victory with his accuracy and decision-making. The Fighting Illini’s defense also played a crucial role in securing the win, holding off Nebraska’s offense in overtime to seal the upset.
Illinois’ win over Nebraska will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they prepare to face more tough opponents in the coming weeks. The Fighting Illini have proven that they can compete with the best teams in the country and will look to continue their winning streak as the season progresses.
Nebraska’s Struggles Against Ranked Opponents Continue
For Nebraska, the loss to Illinois was another setback in their struggles against ranked opponents. The Cornhuskers have now lost 25 consecutive games to ranked teams since 2016, highlighting their difficulties in competing at a high level. Despite a strong performance from quarterback Dylan Raiola, Nebraska’s inability to close out games against top competition has been a recurring issue.
The Cornhuskers’ failure to score in overtime against Illinois further emphasized their challenges in crucial moments. Nebraska’s offense, which had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the game, ultimately fell short when it mattered most. The team will need to address their late-game execution if they hope to turn the tide against ranked opponents in the future.
Nebraska will have a chance to bounce back from their loss to Illinois as they face Purdue on the road before hosting Rutgers. The Cornhuskers will need to regroup and focus on improving their performance against tough competition if they want to break their losing streak against ranked teams.
Looking Ahead: Illinois Faces Penn State, Nebraska Takes On Purdue
As Illinois celebrates their upset victory over Nebraska, they will quickly turn their attention to their upcoming matchup against No. 10 Penn State. The Fighting Illini will look to build on their success and prove that they can compete with the top teams in the Big Ten. A win over Penn State would further solidify Illinois’ status as a legitimate contender in the conference.
Meanwhile, Nebraska will face a tough test against Purdue as they aim to bounce back from their loss to Illinois. The Cornhuskers will need to regroup and focus on executing their game plan effectively against a talented Purdue team. A victory over the Boilermakers would help Nebraska regain momentum and confidence as they look to turn their season around.
Overall, the matchup between Illinois and Nebraska provided a thrilling display of college football, showcasing the competitiveness and excitement of the sport. Both teams will look to learn from their performances and continue to improve as they navigate the challenges of the season.