... HUSKERS HALT HOPES FOR ILLINI AT THE BUZZER
Nebraska has proven two things this season. One, they are good at getting early leads. Two, they are good at giving up said leads. They did it against Purdue in the opener, and lost on a last-second field goal, 25-23.
Today, they turned the tables at the end on Illinois, jumping ahead to a 17-0 lead, seeing that advantage evaporate, then kicking a field goal on the final play to win the game, 20-17. The win came in Nebraska's conference opener to leave the Cornhuskers 2-1 overall, 1-0 Western Conference; while Illinois fell to 2-1, 1-1.
Nebraska took a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter after Gomez blocked an Illinois punt in Illini territory. It was the first blocked punt in ECFA history. Nebraska took over at the Illinois 26 and scored 5 plays later when Green hit Cooper for a 13-yard score.
In the second quarter, the Cornhuskers were driving following an Illinois punt that actually went forward. Nebraska drove 50 yards in 12 plays, but could only get a 30-yard field goal out of the deal when passes on 2nd and 3rd down from the Illinois 13 fell incomplete. The lead swelled to 17-0 after Moore intercepted Illinois quarterback Scheelhaase and returned it to the 49. Green ran for 9 then 41 yards, going out of bounds at the 1. Robinson then came out of the backfield to catch a touchdown pass.
Following yet another Illinois punt, the Huskers needed only to escape the final minute of the half to get orange slices and Gatorade with a 17-0 lead. But Green was picked off by Ellington, who returned it 35 yards to the Nebraska 6. Le Shoure caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Scheelhaase - and despite having only 8 yards of total offense in the first 90 minutes, Illinois went to the locker room down just 17-7.
Nebraska punted on the opening drive of the third quarter, failing to gain a yard. Illinois converted that into 3 points, moving to the Nebraska 27 before kicking a 44-yard field goal. Nebraska punted again, and Illinois scored again, this time driving 61 yards in 8 plays, culminating in Jenkins' 16-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter.
After the Cornhuskers punted yet again, it appeared Illinois would get the lead. Starting from the 6, the Illini running game finally kicked into gear, with Becker rushing for 69 yards on 7 carries. But on 3rd-and-5 from the Nebraska 24, he was turned back for a 2-yard loss by DE Meredith. The subsequent 43-yard field goal attempt was no good, and another ECFA tie loomed.
The tie looked like a sure bet when Green was sacked by Brant, creating a 3rd-and-22 at the 21 with 4 minutes to play. Illinois called a time out, hoping to get the ball back and mount one final drive. But Nebraska crossed them up, throwing to TE Reed for a 38-yard gain and new life. On 3rd-and-10 from the Illinois 41, Cooper caught a 14-yard pass, but one final try for Reed in the corner of the end zone with 4 seconds left was incomplete. Then, Nebraska sent out the kicker and he was good from 42, as Nebraska wins, 20-17.
Ed
