Instant Takes: Nebraska 20, Illinois 7
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – It wasn’t pretty, but Nebraska rode an impressive defensive performance to a 20-7 road win over Illinois on Friday night.
Here are three of our immediate takeaways from the Huskers’ victory…
Nebraska made the plays when it mattered
This hasn’t always been the trend for Nebraska, but it made the big plays at Illinois when it mattered.
The Husker defense came up with two interceptions and two fourth-and-1 stops, including a stand at the goal line on the game’s opening possession. They took advantage of a patchwork Illini offensive line down multiple starters.
We saw walk-on safety Phalen Sanford force a critical third-quarter fumble while linebacker Grant Tagge recovered a fumble on a bobbled Illini kickoff return. We haven’t seen plays like this all year from Nebraska.
Tony White’s Blackshirts carried this team to victory. Even when the offense turned it over late in the game, they responded with a quick three-and-out.
This was the defense we saw Nebraska play earlier this season, and it helped them get their first win against Illinois since 2019. You would like to think this will have to be the winning formulator NU every week.
Haarberg shows grit but also some rough edges
There were a few points in Friday night’s game where Nebraska fans may have thought that Heinrich Haarberg has a chance to put a stranglehold on the starting QB job.
He probably fell short in that regard.
On one hand, give Haarberg credit for orchestrating a Big Ten road win. That’s hardly ever easy. Also, give Haarberg credit for avoiding catastrophic errors. Yes, he threw a fourth-quarter interception into double coverage. But it was almost the equivalent of a punt.
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Nebraska lost two fumbles in the red zone, but those weren’t his fault.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound sophomore is arguably Nebraska’s best running threat, and he shows increasing confidence as a passer (although his numbers weren’t great on this night).
Remember, Haarberg heads up an offense that is short on skill-position talent. Now, it appears NU could be without receiver Marcus Washington for an extended period.
Plus, Nebraska’s offensive line still commits too many penalties.
Haarberg doesn’t flinch, though, and there’s plenty to be said for that.
Nebraska’s bowl hopes are alive and well
Nebraska’s 2023 season looked to be on the brink of disaster less than a week ago.
Following Friday night’s victory, the Huskers are back on track toward ending their grueling six-year bowl game drought.
Very little was pretty about the Huskers’ 13-point victory. But style points don’t matter right now.
NU needed a win in the worst way – not only to keep its postseason hopes alive, but to go into the bye week with some desperately needed momentum.
Here’s some context: Nebraska hasn’t won a game going into its bye week since 2016. That was a 31-16 win over – you guessed it – Illinois. It also came during the last season the Huskers made a bowl game.
Positive vibes are critical for a program trying to climb out of a hole like NU is right now. Nebraska is now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in a critical October stretch. Three more wins, and the Huskers will be bowling again.
