CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — 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 series of tributes, including a moment of silence before the game and a video tribute at halftime.
Seven receivers intercepted passes from Haarberg, who completed 12 of 24 passes. His 25-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was Nebraska’s second TD in 10 seconds.
Nebraska (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten Conference) stopped Illinois inside the Huskers’ 1 twice on the Illini’s first drive of the game as Luke Altmyer and Reggie Love III each failed to reach the end zone.
For Illinois coach Bret Bielema, the failure to score was emblematic of the Illini offense’s problems this season.
“It’s insane and annoying that we can’t gain six inches in two plays,” he said. “I’ve been training for 15 years and have never been so frustrated. We keep having the same problems. We have to make changes. We have to change the equation.”
The Huskers marched back down the field after stopping Illinois and got a 31-yard field goal from Tristan Alvano.
Nebraska coach Matt Ruhle felt the goal line score and field goal set the tone for the game.
“After what happened last week (a 45-7 home loss to No. 2 Michigan), this was a great start,” he said. “It was exactly what we needed. That’s a good Big Ten win, giving up seven points along the way to a team that doesn’t huddle most of the time.”
The win was a big relief for Nebraska defensive back Isaac Gifford and offensive lineman Bryce Benhart.
“We had something to prove,” Gifford said. “We didn’t play our best game last week in any way, shape or form.”
“It 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 the Huskers were at the goal line.
Nebraska took a 17-0 lead with its two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter.
Anthony Grant jumped into the end zone from a yard out and completed a 14-play, 79-yard drive that lasted 6:38.
After Nebraska recovered the ensuing kickoff, a short kick against 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 fended 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 final seconds of the half fell far short despite a stiff breeze at his back.
Nebraska’s Phelan Sanford forced a fumble from Griffin Moore after a pass reception early in the third quarter, and Tommi Hill recovered and ran to the Illinois 13, where he set up a 32-yard field goal from Alvano, the only score in a turnover-heavy second Halftime.
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.
Newsome got his revenge by 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 at the Illinois 15.
Altmyer was 29 of 47 passing for 288 yards and a touchdown.
BUTKUS TRIBUTES
Illini players wore helmet stickers and 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 Butkus statue outside the stadium and leave flowers. Butkus, a two-time consensus All-American and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, played center and linebacker for the Illini.
ONE GAME AND OVER
Nebraska’s Marcus Washington caught a 39-yard pass from Haarberg, bringing the Huskers out of the shadows of their end zone in the first quarter. He suffered a knee injury on the next play, was helped off the field by teammates, and did not return to the game.
HOT AND COLD
After playing Michigan in 90-degree weather in Lincoln last week, the Huskers experienced more fall-like weather in Champaign, with temperatures dropping into the low 40s and a brisk wind in the second half of the nearly four-game stretch to the West by knocking down punts that went in that direction.
The Takeaway Nebraska: The win moved the Huskers into the Big Ten West title list. After a bye week next week, Nebraska hosts Big Ten West opponents Northwestern and Purdue and then travels to Michigan State, all teams with losing records.
Illinois: The Illini offense continues to struggle and is plagued by costly turnovers. Illinois couldn’t get its ground game going against Nebraska, rushing for just 21 yards.
NEXT
Nebraska: The Huskers have a bye week before hosting Northwestern.
Illinois: The Illini will play at Maryland next Saturday.
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AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and NCAA College Football Rankings: AP Top 25 Football Poll