LINCOLN, Neb. — — Luke Altmyer threw for 4 touchdowns, together with a brief toss to Pat Bryant in extra time, to offer No. 24 Illinois a 31-24 win over No. 22 Nebraska on Friday night time.
The Illini (4-0, 1-0 Large Ten) have overwhelmed two ranked opponents in the identical season for the primary time since 2007 and are off to a 4-0 begin for the primary time since 2011. The Illini beat the Cornhuskers in Lincoln a 3rd straight time and spoiled the celebration of their four-hundredth consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium.
“I informed our gamers the opposite day that you simply management the vibe within the stadium,” Illini coach Bret Bielema stated. “We did suppose if we may flip this right into a four-quarter sport it could play to our benefit. I did not script it to go to extra time, however I wasn’t mad when it did.”
Nebraska (3-1, 0-1) has dropped 25 straight video games to Prime 25 groups since 2016 and is now 8-31 in one-possession video games since 2018.
The groups traded touchdowns within the second half earlier than the Illini went 75 yards in 9 performs to tie it 24-all. Altmyer threw 6 yards to sort out Brandon Henderson on a fourth-and-2 for the landing with 10:36 left in regulation. It was the 6-foot-5, 335-pound Henderson’s first profession reception.
“We repped that go this week and as a employees we form of took a vote whether or not it could get thrown and caught, and all of us voted sure,” Bielema stated. “We did not know it could be a fourth-down name to place us in place to win the sport. Lots of credit score to our offensive coaches and gamers to make that occur.”
Nebraska punted and missed a area aim on its final two possessions of regulation, with backup John Hohl, kicking rather than the injured Tristan Alvano, lacking large left from 39 yards with 2:59 to play.
Illinois fumbled and punted, and Raiola took a knee to ship the sport to extra time.
Illinois’ Kaden Feagin ran for 21 yards on the primary play of extra time earlier than Altmyer discovered Bryant for a 4-yard landing.
“That was a Large Ten sport proper there — the standard form of happening to the final play,” Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson stated. “It hurts as a result of we actually beat ourselves, particularly on protection. We get to come back again subsequent week and clear up quite a lot of errors.”
Nebraska’s extra time possession was a catastrophe as Raiola was sacked 3 times, together with on fourth down to finish the sport.
Altmyer threw for 215 yards and Bryant had 5 catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
Altmyer was 21 of 27 towards the Huskers and is 75 of 102 for the season (74%) with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.
“Most likely the perfect is but to come back (for him),” Bielema stated.
Raiola handed for 297 yards and three touchdowns and was intercepted as soon as. Jahmal Banks caught eight balls for 94 yards and Isaiah Neyor had 4 catches for 90 yards and two TDs.
“As I informed our guys, the narrative has been they’re going to win all these video games. Mine has been go 1-0 every week. Now we have loads to be taught from this,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule stated.
The takeaway
Illinois: The Illini transformed 4 extra occasions within the crimson zone and at the moment are 16 for 16 when their offense reaches the opponent’s 20. The most important concern is the standing of WR Zakhari Franklin (leg), who leads the group with 21 receptions.
Nebraska: Undisciplined play is hurting the Huskers. They dedicated 9 penalties, together with three private fouls and a facemask, and have been flagged 28 occasions in 4 video games.
Ballot implications
Illinois stands to maneuver up with its huge street win. Nebraska was within the Prime 25 for the primary time since 2019, and it possible will likely be a brief keep.
Sellout streak
Nebraska’s sellout streak is an ongoing NCAA document that began in 1962, although boosters and native companies have at occasions purchased unsold tickets on the final minute to maintain the streak alive. The Huskers are 324-76 through the streak.
Up subsequent
Illinois: Visits No. 10 Penn State subsequent Saturday.
Nebraska: Visits Purdue subsequent Saturday.
——
Get ballot alerts and updates on the AP Prime 25 all through the season. Join right here. AP faculty soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football