Heinrich Haarberg threw for 154 yards and rushed for a team-leading 82 yards and a touchdown as Nebraska beat Illinois 20-7 on Friday night.
Illinois honored former Illini football star Dick Butkus, who died Thursday at age 80, with a number of tributes, including a moment of silence before the game and a video tribute at halftime.
Seven receivers caught passes from Haarberg, who was 12 of 24. His 25-yard scoring run in the second quarter was Nebraska’s second touchdown in 10 seconds.
Nebraska (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) stopped Illinois twice inside the Huskers 1 on the Illini’s first drive of the game, as Luke Altmyer and Reggie Love III each failed to get into the end zone.
For Illinois coach Bret Bielema, the failed scoring drive was emblematic of the Illini offense’s struggles this season.
“It’s maddening, infuriating that we can’t gain 6 inches on two plays,” he said. “I’ve been coaching for 15 years and I’ve never been so frustrated. We keep having the same issues. We have to make changes. We have to change the equation.”
The Huskers marched back down the field after stopping Illinois and scored on a 31-yard field goal by Tristan Alvano.
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Nebraska coach Matt Ruhle thought the goal-line stand and field goal set the tone for the game.
“After what happened last week (a 45-7 home loss to No. 2 Michigan) that was a heck of a start,” he said. “It was exactly what we needed. That’s a good Big Ten win when you give up seven points on the road to a team that goes no-huddle most of the time.”
For Nebraska defensive back Isaac Gifford and offensive lineman Bryce Benhart, the win was a giant relief.
“We had something to prove,” Gifford said. “We didn’t play our best game last week by any way, shape or form.”
“That was fun because we played as a team. Everyone contributed,” Benhart said.
Illinois (2-4, 0-3) entered the game having scored just 10 points in the first quarter all season. The Illini failed to add to that total because of the Huskers’ goal-line stand.
Nebraska took a 17-0 lead with its two quick second-quarter touchdowns.
Anthony Grant leaped into the end zone from 1 yard out, completing a 14-play, 79-yard drive that took 6:38. After Nebraska recovered the ensuing kickoff, a short kick into a strong wind that Illinois mishandled, Haarberg ran untouched into the end zone.
The Illini scored their only touchdown with 1:31 left in the first half when Pat Bryant fought off Quinton Newsome and caught a perfectly thrown 46-yard touchdown pass from Altmyer.
A 55-yard field-goal attempt by Illinois’ Caleb Griffin in the waning seconds of the half fell far short even with a stiff breeze at his back.
Nebraska’s Phelan Sanford forced a fumble by Griffin Moore after a pass reception early in the third quarter and Tommi Hill recovered and ran to the Illinois 13, setting up a 32-yard field goal by Alvano, the only scoring in a turnover-filled second half.
A blocked punt by Nebraska’s Blaise Gunnerson on Illinois’ next possession gave the Huskers the ball at the Illinois 18, but Alvano missed a 36-yard field-goal attempt.
Newsome avenged giving up Bryant’s touchdown when he intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 39 yards. A fumble by Grant ended Nebraska’s drive on the Illinois 15.
Altmyer was 29-for-47 passing for 288 yards and a touchdown.
Butkus tributes
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Illini players wore helmet stickers, coaches had the initial “DB” on their windbreakers and the 50-yard markers on the field were outlined in orange. That was Butkus’ uniform number when he played for Illinois. His number was retired in 1986.
Fans were asked to visit the statue of Butkus outside the stadium and leave flowers. A two-time consensus All-American and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Butkus played center and linebacker for the Illini.
The takeaway
Nebraska: The victory pushed the Huskers into the Big Ten West title picture. After a bye next week, Nebraska hosts Big Ten West opponents Northwestern and Purdue, then travels to Michigan State, all teams with losing records.
Illinois: The Illini offense continues to struggle and be plagued by costly turnovers. Illinois couldn’t get its ground game going against Nebraska, rushing for just 21 yards.
Up next
Nebraska: The Huskers are off next weekend before before hosting Northwestern on Oct. 21.
Illinois: The Illini will play at Maryland on Oct. 14.