CHAMPAIGN, Ill – Did you think the season was over after the loss to Purdue that put Illinois at 2-3? If you did, you’re not alone. But, if there’s one person who has proven to be a winner in recent years, it’s head coach Bret Bielema.
After the 24-13 win, Illinois (6-3, 4,2) is now bowl eligible, for the third straight season might I add. This hasn’t been achieved since 1988 through 1992. Illinois now has 25 wins over the last 3 seasons, the fourth most in Big Ten.
Going into this game were two teams
on opposite ends of runs. Nebraska (5-4, 2-4) entered the contest on a three-game losing streak, while Illinois came in riding three in a row. With both teams fighting for a chance at a bowl game, it’s no surprise fans were treated to a historic night that ended in a crucial Illini victory.
Illinois might have just needed a little magic to turn its season around, and it got that from its now all-time single season receiving touchdown leader, Collin Dixon. Late in the second quarter, Illinois put together a solid drive in which Dixon left his mark. He completed a 15-yard catch to start it off, then put the Illini in the red zone with a 21-yard completion.
Then, he made history.
Dixon caught a 2-yard pass and was originally ruled to be down at the one yard line. After official review, he was ruled to cross the plane, and Dixon claimed his 11th touchdown of the season.
While not the flashiest touchdown of his season, they all count the same. Dixon is now the Illinois single-season receiving touchdown leader, passing former Illini Pat Bryant.
Illinois’ offense continued to roll into the start of the second half. After getting into Nebraska territory, a penalty pushed Illinois back to a 3rd and 17. It couldn’t recover, and settled for an Ethan Moczulski field goal attempt.
Except it didn’t.
The Illini executed their first fake field goal of the season flawlessly, and punter Lars Rau rushed for 29 yards, nearly resulting in a touchdown. A few plays later, Houser found Jordan Anderson in the end zone, giving the Illini a 14-7 lead.
It was a considerably more efficient night for Houser compared to last week. After quickly came back from injury, he looked rusty. Against Nebraska, that rust has dissipated as he controlled the flow of the offense finishing 22-36 for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Defense gets timely stops
The defense played a really solid game. In the first half, Illinois got a lot of help from Nebraska mistakes. It was multiple flags that took the Cornhuskers out of good field positions and 2 missed field goals.
Illinois did have some trouble limiting chunk plays, giving up multiple 16+ yard passes and even a 15-yard Mekhi Nelson rushing TD. But, when it came down to defending its field position, it came up clutch.
In the third quarter, Illinois was able to turn an eighth and half minute Nebraska drive into a turnover on downs after pressure forced an airmailed Anthony Colandrea throw. That proved to be crucial in creating some separation in the score that Nebraska couldn’t recover from.
And who else but Dixon to tack on more points for the Illini. If you thought he was done after making history, you were surely mistaken. He added to his record after securing a 6-yard pass for a touchdown, his 12th of the season.
Barnett goes down
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Illinois though. Freshman RB Javari Barnett suffered a leg injury in the second quarter, and was carted off the field. He would not return.
This is the second Illinois running back to be carted off the field with an injury this season. The other being Ca’lil Valentine, in the game against Purdue. Illinois now must rely on Aidan Laughery as its main source of rushing for the foreseeable future.
If there is any team that has shown the resilience to bounce back from something like this, its Illinois. From the departure of former defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck after just four games, to the multitude of injuries of key players, it seemed like the season was a wash.
All of a sudden, the Illini are back in the hunt for yet another successful season. There’s been highs, there’s been lows, but if there’s one thing this team knows how to do, it’s fight.
Check this out!
Dixon’s second TD of the game and his record leading 12th of the season.
More Dixon, I know. But, this incredible catch led to a field goal that extended the Illini lead.
Defense causes a clutch turnover on downs.
Stat Stuffers:
- Colin Dixon: 8 receptions, 129 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Katin Houser: 22-36 passing, 292 yards, 3 touchdowns
- Jacory Barney Jr: 6 receptions, 93 yards, 1 touchdown
Up Next:
Illinois now looks to extend the streak to five. It faces No. 5 UCLA next on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. This is the home stretch for the Illini, but with three games remaining, they face some very tough opponents.
