Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini flags are waved after a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
It’s Groundhog Day in Lincoln. Again.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ hot start to the 2024 season was stopped in its tracks on Friday evening at Memorial Stadium. The Illinois Fighting Illini came into Lincoln and delivered the Huskers a shocking 31-24 loss, the program’s sixth loss in one-score games since the start of last season.
After finding themselves up 17-10 at halftime, the Huskers surrendered 21 second-half points, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime. In the loss, the Huskers’ offense was solid but not great. The passing attack continued to be impressive, but the rushing attack struggled.
Defensively, the pass defense couldn’t stop Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer and struggled at times to stop the Illinois rushing attack, especially in the second half. Nebraska must now prepare to go on the road for the first time this season when they travel to Indiana to take on the Purdue Boilermakers.
Nonetheless, here are five takeaways from the latest heartbreaking loss for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Huskers still can’t close out one score games
Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule talks with officials after an interception during the second quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Over the last decade, one-score losses have become a story as old as time for Nebraska. After numerous heartbreaking losses during the Scott Frost era, the Huskers were 1-5 in one-score games in 2023. In 2024, they’ll start 0-1 after Friday night’s loss. While the Huskers have shown a lot of improvement so far early this season under head coach Matt Rhule, to reach the next step, they’ll have to learn to find a way to win these close games.
Illinois stiffles Nebraska’s rushing attack
Sep 7, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) hands the ball off to running back Dante Dowdell (23) during the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
It was a tough day for the Cornhuskers rushing attack as they averaged just 3.4 yards per carry when not including Dylan Raiola’s six sacks for -64 yards. After totaling 140+ rushing yards in each of their first three games, the Huskers were unable to find much of any success on Friday especially in the second half. After averaging 4.2 yards per carry in the first half, the Huskers were kept to just 7 yards on 11 carries in the second half. There will be some strong front sevens coming up soon on the Husker’s schedule, which makes their rushing struggles on Friday slightly more concerning.
Missed opportunities
Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema talk before a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Friday’s game was filled with several missed opportunities for the Cornhuskers. On the Huskers’ second drive of the game they would put together an impressive 18-play, 72-yard drive that took nearly nine minutes off the clock. The problem? The Huskers had to settle for a chip shot field goal as the drive sizzled out at the goal line.
In the second half, the Huskers missed two opportunities on back-to-back plays. After taking over at their own 38 following a strip-sack by Luke Altmyer, the Huskers went 41 yards on nine plays. On third down, Dylan Raiola overshot an open Luke Lidenmeyer, which would’ve given the Huskers the lead with under three minutes to go.
Alright, no problem, still in field goal range.
This leaves missed opportunity No.3. as a 39-yard field goal attempt from John Hohl was no-good. Any of the three missed opportunities would’ve made life much easier for the Huskers.
Raiola solid but will want a few mistakes back
Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) drops to throw against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Nobody is going to end up blaming Dylan Raiola for Friday’s loss. The true freshman was once again very good for the Huskers and gave them plenty of chances to win the game. The former five-star prospect was 24-for-35, passing for 302 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. That being said, he’ll want that interception, as well as his missed touchdown pass to Lidenmeyter, back. But that being said, he shouldn’t be hanging his head after Friday night’s performance.
No answers for Luke Altmyer
Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) warms up before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Luke Altmyer didn’t light up the boxscore when it came to passing yards but in every other category, he was phenomenal on Friday. The veteran starter was 21-for-27 in the game for 215 yards and four touchdowns. He finished the game with a passer rating of 193.6. He spread the ball around effectively throughout the game with nine different Illini recording receptions. In the second half, he went 12-for-15 for 92 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t have to do anything too special but took advantage of everything that the Huskers gave him on Friday and it was enough to pull out the win for the Illini.
This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Five takeaways from Nebraska’s shocking 31-24 loss to Illinois
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Publish date : 2024-09-21 00:15:00
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