Illinois upends No. 22 Nebraska in OT to stay unbeaten
In a dramatic Big Ten showdown, Illinois Fighting Illini football secured a 31-24 overtime victory over the No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday night in Lincoln. Quarterback Luke Altmyer’s fourth touchdown pass of the night—a 4-yard strike to Pat Bryant—sealed the deal in overtime, propelling Illinois to a perfect 4-0 record and handing Nebraska its first loss of the season.
The matchup between Nebraska vs Illinois delivered a nail-biting finish. Illinois started overtime with a 21-yard burst from running back Kaden Feagin, setting up Altmyer's game-winning connection to Bryant in the right corner of the end zone. Nebraska, on the other hand, struggled during its overtime possession, beginning with a false-start penalty and ending with back-to-back sacks on quarterback Dylan Raiola, culminating in a fourth-and-29.
Altmyer had an impressive night, completing 21 of 27 passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns. Pat Bryant was his top target, catching five passes for 74 yards and two scores. Illinois also saw contributions from Tanner Arkin and offensive lineman Brandon Henderson, each securing red-zone touchdown receptions. Feagin led the Illini ground game with 69 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Nebraska football quarterback Dylan Raiola threw for 284 yards, completing 23 of 35 passes, with three touchdowns and one interception. Wide receiver Isaiah Neyor stood out with four catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while Jahmal Banks hauled in seven passes for 81 yards. Running back Dante Dowdell added 72 yards on the ground, rushing 20 times.
The Illinois Fighting Illini football vs Nebraska Cornhuskers football match was a battle of opportunities. With 8:24 left in the fourth quarter, Nebraska’s defense made a key play when Ceyair Wright forced a fumble while sacking Altmyer, and Mikai Gbayor recovered the ball at the Cornhuskers’ 38-yard line. However, Nebraska failed to capitalize on the turnover, as kicker John Hohl missed a 39-yard field goal that would have given Nebraska the lead with under three minutes remaining.
A pivotal moment came in the second quarter when an apparent Cornhuskers touchdown was overturned following a review. Illinois cornerback Torrie Cox Jr. stripped the ball from Neyor in the end zone, securing a crucial interception and keeping the game within reach for the Fighting Illini.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the game marked a historic milestone for Nebraska, as it was their NCAA-record 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium. Unfortunately, Nebraska’s overtime struggles continued—this marks their eighth straight game without an overtime win, a streak that stretches back to 2014.
For Illinois, this victory was another milestone in a season full of achievements. It was their second win over a ranked team this year, having defeated then-No. 19 Kansas earlier in the season. Illinois now moves to 4-0 for the first time since 2011 and continues to show strength in the Big Ten.
Next week, Illinois will face another tough test as they travel to take on No. 10 Penn State. Nebraska (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten), meanwhile, will look to bounce back when they head to Purdue next Saturday before returning home to host Rutgers on October 5.
With their undefeated start and a strong performance in the Nebraska vs Illinois showdown, the Fighting Illini have positioned themselves as a rising force in the Big Ten, while the Cornhuskers must regroup after another close defeat.
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