No. 24 Illinois defeats No. 22 Nebraska in overtime, 31-24.

21 Sep, 2024

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) — In a thrilling first ranked matchup at Memorial Stadium in over a decade, No. 24 Illinois (4-0, 1-0) rallied from behind three times to claim a 31-24 overtime victory against No. 22 Nebraska (3-1, 0-1) on Friday night.

This marked the 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium, but the Illini disrupted the celebration, driven by junior quarterback Luke Altmyer's impressive performance. He completed 21 of 27 passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns against a Nebraska defense that had previously been unyielding.

Illinois showcased a balanced offensive attack, with three different players rushing for over 30 yards. Kaden Feagin led the ground game with 12 carries for 69 yards.

On the other side, Nebraska struggled to establish the run, managing only 77 yards on 31 attempts against a tough Illinois defensive line. However, freshman QB Dylan Raiola delivered a standout performance despite the loss, completing 23 of 35 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns. His top receivers, Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks, also excelled, with Neyor catching four passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while Banks recorded seven catches for 81 yards.

GAME RECAP

PREGAME COVERAGE
Nebraska’s 2024 season has been marked by a series of milestones, highlighting the turnaround under head coach Matt Rhule. He successfully revitalized programs at Temple and Baylor, and now the Huskers seem to be on a similar path, with some suggesting they might even be ahead of schedule.

This game was also a celebration of Nebraska's 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium, an achievement the university honored throughout the night. "It’s passion and loyalty," Rhule remarked. "It’s not just the sellouts; it’s coming out early and staying late. That loyalty and passion humbles us, and we have a responsibility to do our part."

GAME INFO

WHEN: 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20
WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb.
WATCH: FOX
LISTEN: Huskers Radio Network
VEGAS ODDS: Illinois +9, O/U 43.5

The optimism among Big Red fans is at an all-time high, with a 3-0 start and a Top 25 ranking fueling excitement. However, as the competition intensifies, the real tests are just beginning.

"It’s time that the season starts," said Husker QB Dylan Raiola after Nebraska's 34-3 win over Northern Iowa last week. "You treat those three non-conference games like real games, but you really find out your identity before you get into these conference games that mean everything. Our team’s been excited, and it’s finally here."

2024 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL

No. 23 Nebraska rolls past Northern Iowa, improves to 3-0
The Huskers dominated UNI 34-3 to secure their first 3-0 start since 2016.
Nebraska wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdown.
Blackshirts dominate as Nebraska routs Colorado in rivalry clash.
Nebraska trounces UTEP in season opener, 40-7.

With conference action upon them, the Huskers faced off against a team that embodies the Big Ten's tough, smash-mouth style of football—what some refer to as “Bielema Ball.” Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has built a physically demanding team capable of wearing down opponents, a model he perfected during his time at Wisconsin and Arkansas before arriving at Illinois in 2021.

“I have a lot of respect for [Bielema],” Rhule said. “His teams play great defense, run the football, and excel in special teams. After a distinguished coaching career, he learned from Coach Belichick, so I know he understands that mindset and is doing a great job at Illinois.”

Running back Kaden Faegin has been a key player for Bielema this year, carrying the ball 42 times through three games. However, the Illinois offense is more dynamic than in previous seasons, thanks in large part to quarterback Luke Altmyer's exceptional play, completing 70% of his passes for 647 yards and 6 touchdowns without a turnover.