Eric Boggs 
Illinois walked into Nebraska and defeated the Huskers in overtime.
In a dramatic Friday night Big Ten showdown, Illinois went on the road and upset No. 22 Nebraska 31-24 in overtime, improving to 4-0 on the season. The game, played at Memorial Stadium, marked Nebraska’s 400th consecutive sellout but ended in disappointment for the Cornhuskers as they suffered their first loss in a milestone game.
The Illini offense started strong, marching down the field for an easy touchdown on their opening drive. Nebraska responded with a field goal on a time-consuming drive, but it was Illinois QB Luke Altmeyer who dominated the night. Altmeyer completed 21 of 27 passes for 215 yards and 4 touchdowns, outdueling Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, who finished with 284 yards and 3 touchdowns but was plagued by constant pressure.
The game was marred by controversial officiating, with fans from both sides voicing their frustrations on social media. Nebraska was hit with 9 penalties for 89 yards, while Illinois only had 3 for 20 yards. The officiating reached its peak in overtime when a potential late hit on Nebraska was ignored, contributing to the Huskers’ defeat. Raiola was sacked three times in the extra period, including a crucial fourth-down sack that sealed the Illini’s victory.
Despite the officiating issues, the game was a back-and-forth thriller. Illinois took a 10-0 lead before Nebraska’s defense made a key play, forcing a fumble that led to a Cornhuskers touchdown. Illinois tied it with a field goal, but Nebraska regained momentum with a highlight-reel touchdown catch by Isaiah Neyor to lead 17-10 at halftime.
The teams traded touchdowns in the second half before Nebraska missed a late field goal that could have given them the lead. The game went into overtime after Nebraska chose to kneel out the clock rather than push for a last-second win.
Illinois wasted no time in the extra period, scoring on their second play. Nebraska’s offense, on the other hand, struggled, going backward due to penalties and sacks. Raiola’s final pass attempt was cut short by Illinois’ relentless pass rush, ending the game in heartbreak for the Huskers.
Nebraska managed just 48 rushing yards, largely due to the 52 yards lost on six sacks. Meanwhile, Illinois ran for 166 yards, balancing their offense effectively throughout the game. Dante Dowdell led Nebraska’s ground attack with 74 yards, while Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor both had standout performances, combining for nearly 200 receiving yards.
With the win, Illinois remains undefeated and poised to rise in the rankings. Nebraska falls to 3-1 and will look to bounce back next week on the road against Purdue.
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