Illinois knocks off Nebraska, 24-13, and improves to 6-3 and locks up a third straight bowl invite — which hasn’t happened since 1992.
The Illini passing torched a strong Nebraska defense for nearly 300 yards, and an improving Illinois defense held NU QB Anthony Colandrea in check and made him have to throw it.
Illinois’ defense — which was heavily criticized for a switch to a 3-3-5 defense and parting ways with DC Bobby Hauck after four games — has improved a ton. They are getting more pressure, they are tackling better, and there’s less communication break downs with interim DC Roger Cooper.
Back to offense
We knew Nebraska would make running the ball tough. They allowed just 90 YPG on the ground.
Katin Houser — a well paid transfer QB — and a talented group of WRs needed to step up and they did.
Hudson Clement shined in the first half, and then Collin Dixon sealed the game with two touchdowns and another red zone catch that led to a game ceiling field goal.
While true freshman Michael Clayton is talented, Houser elevates this passing offense, and can beat elite defenses like Nebraska.
Next up
At 8-0 and No. 8 UCLA
6-2 and No. 19 Iowa
At 6-2 Northwestern
All of those teams are ve...