Luke Altmeier He threw four touchdowns, including a short pass to Pat Bryant in overtimeNo. No. 24 Illinois defeated No. 22 Nebraska 31-24 on Friday night.
The Illini have beaten two ranked opponents in the same season for the first time since 2007 and are off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2011. The Illini beat the Cornhuskers in Lincoln for the third straight time, ruining their celebration. Their 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska (3-1, 0-1) has lost 25 straight games against top-25 teams since 2016 and is now 8-31 in one-possession games since 2018.
The teams traded touchdowns in the second half as the Illini drove 75 yards in nine plays to tie the score at 24. Altmeier threw 6 yards for a touchdown on fourth-and-2 with 10:36 left. It was the first catch for the 6-foot-5, 335-pound Henderson.
Nebraska punted on a field goal on its final two possessions, and John Hole, replacing the injured Tristan Alvano, missed 39 yards wide left with 2:59 left.
Illinois fumbled and punted.
Illinois’ Kaden Fagin ran 21 yards on the first play of overtime before Aldmere found Bryant for a 4-yard touchdown.
Nebraska’s possession was disastrous as Raiola was sacked three times, including one that ended the game on fourth down.
Altmeier threw for 215 yards and Bryant had five receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
Raiola threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. Jahmal Banks caught eight balls for 94 yards and Isaiah Neyor had four receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
