Nebraska's Late-Game Woes Persist in Overtime Loss to Illinois
Nebraska faced a daunting third-and-42 down seven in overtime, a stark reminder of its ongoing struggles in crucial moments. A false start, a sack, and an intentional grounding led to an unfathomable situation, causing a game that seemed within reach to slip away once again.
In front of a historic 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium, Nebraska aimed for its first ranked victory since 2016, but once again faltered in a close contest.
“We had a lot of opportunities to win the game,” head coach Matt Rhule remarked after the match. “We’re not a bad football team. That’s a ranked team, and we had the chances to win. There are things we have to correct.”
Facing its first significant challenge of the year against No. 24 Illinois after three dominating wins, Nebraska fell short across all units when it counted. Junior quarterback Luke Altmyer dissected the Husker defense, completing 21 of 27 passes for four touchdowns, exploiting defensive lapses that left receivers wide open.
Despite a strong effort from senior linebacker John Bullock and junior cornerback Ceyair Wright, who forced critical fumbles, the Blackshirts struggled to hold their ground in overtime, allowing Illinois to secure a quick lead in just two plays.
“It was disappointing,” Rhule said. “After last week, we were concerned about tackling, and it showed up again.”
The Nebraska offense performed well until a pivotal moment with 3:07 remaining. Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola had sophomore tight end Luke Lindenmeyer open for what could have been the go-ahead score but missed the opportunity. Backup kicker John Hohl then missed a critical 39-yard field goal attempt.
Late-game struggles have been a focal point for the Huskers during the offseason, with the mantra “Chasing 3” aimed at turning close games into victories. However, this time, they could not convert.
“Our kicking game is not where it needs to be,” Rhule noted. “[Alvano] was unavailable tonight. Hohl made some extra points and an early field goal, but unfortunately, we missed when it counted.”
Penalties compounded the issue, with Nebraska committing nine for 89 yards compared to Illinois’ three for 20. A false start by freshman lineman Gunnar Gottula set back the offense in overtime before it could even take a snap.
Illinois seemed hungrier for victory, and Nebraska lost the confidence it had displayed in previous weeks. This resulted in a frustrating finish for fans accustomed to disappointing outcomes.
The Huskers must find solutions for these persistent late-game issues. Their -29 total yards in overtime marks a new low, as they have failed to score in their last eight overtime games.
Despite the loss, there were bright spots. Raiola’s performance was one of the best by a Nebraska quarterback in years, while transfer receivers Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor shined with 94 and 90 yards, respectively. On defense, Bullock maintained his All-Big Ten caliber play while Wright stepped up in place of the injured Tommi Hill.
Moving forward, the Huskers need to show they can perform when it matters. Friday’s game serves as a preview of the challenges that lie ahead in Big Ten play, where every conference victory will demand four complete quarters of football.
“We have a lot to learn from this game,” Rhule said. “I’m sure our guys will bounce back. It was a costly night.”