Pat Bryant caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Luke Altmyer in overtime to give No. 24 Illinois’ 31-24 victory over No. 22 Nebraska at Lincoln to open Big Ten conference play. The Fighting Illini are 4-0 for the first time since 2011.
Dylan Rosiek sacked Huskers quarterback Dylan Raiola on 4th and 29 to complete the win. Nebraska 9-yard loss. An intentional hit on the new QB then pushed Nebraska to third-and-42. A 13-yard play on third down set up the final, fun play.
Altmyer passed for 215 yards and four touchdowns, completing 21-of-27 passes. Pat Bryant had five receptions for 74 yards and two scores, and Zakhari Franklin added five catches for 50 yards. Kaden Feagin rushed for 69 yards. with 12 cars.
Illinois tied the game at 24-24 on a 6-yard catch by tight end Brandon Henderson. The 70-yard drive was highlighted by a 16-yard run from Feagin, which had another 15 yards on a hit to Malcolm Hartzog Jr.’s face. Nebraska’s Altmyer followed with a 15-yard pass to Malik Elzy that moved the Fighting Illini. to the Huskers’ 14-yard line.
Nebraska had a chance to take the lead on its next play, but Raiola overthrew Luke Lindenmeyer for what would have been a 21-yard touchdown on third down. John Hohl missed a 39-yard field goal.
The Huskers went up 24-17 on a 1-yard pass from Raiola to Janiran Bonner early in the fourth quarter. Earlier in the drive, the new QB hit Isaiah Neyor for a 44-yard gain. On the next play, Raiola threw off his back foot to Thomas Fidone II for 29 yards.
Raiola completed 24-of-35 passes for 297 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Jahmal Banks finished with eight receptions for 94 yards while Neyor added four catches for 90 yards and two scores. Dante Dowdell led the Huskers in rushing with 72 yards on 20 carries.
Nebraska started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2016 and the fans at Memorial Stadium were in a frenzy and eager to see the Huskers win a statement in the first period. But the Illini quieted the crowd quickly, completing a six-play, 78-yard drive, with Altmeyer hitting Bryant for a 27-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead.
Nebraska squandered a chance to tie the score on its second drive on third-and-goal from the 3-yard line when left tackle Turner Corcoran was unprepared for the pass rush, forcing Dylan Raiola to rush to throw. Running back Rahmir Johnson was open, but didn’t realize he was out of bounds, causing him to pass incomplete. The Huskers had to settle for a field goal after an 18-play drive.
However, the defense quickly gave up, forcing Hank Beatty to fumble after a 14-yard catch. Nebraska took over at the Illinois 37-yard line and drove. a 14-yard rush by Dante Dowdell and a pass from Isaiah Neyor for 13 yards. Raiola hit Neyor in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown and a 10-7 lead.
The Huskers took a 16-10 lead with 7:57 left in the second quarter when Neyor caught a 36-yard scoring pass. However, Illinois quarterback Torrie Cox Jr. he also appeared to catch the ball. On the field, officials awarded Neyor the touchdown, but replay analysis showed that Cox had control of the ball for the interception.
Despite the interception, Nebraska was able to score on its next possession.
Illinois didn’t convert a fourth-and-8 from the Huskers’ 33-yard line, though officials missed Jimari Butler’s tackle on Altmyer’s face. Nebraska took over with 3:18 left in the first half and drove 70 yards in nine plays, ending with an 11-yard pass from Raiola to Neyor, who pulled the leg of home and right in bounds to make the touchdown stop. Nebraska led 17-10 at the half.
Illinois plays No. 10 Penn State next Saturday. A start time for the game has not been announced. Nebraska visits Purdue for noon ET.
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