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Nebraska amassed 426 yards of total offense, but Illinois made the plays it needed to earn a 24-13 victory Friday night.
Anthony Colandrea threw for a season-high 284 yards and a touchdown, while Jacory Barney Jr. had 93 yards and a score for the Huskers, who fell to 5-4 on the season.
The Huskers struck first on a Nelson 15-yard rush into the end zone. NU took advantage of an Illini penalty early in the drive and Hunter and Gilmer each logged 17 receiving yards, as the Big Red took a 7-0 lead with 9:29 left in the half.
Illinois tied the score at 7-7 on a seven-play, 73-yard drive that was capped by a Collin Dixon three-yard reception from Katin Houser. Dixon accounted for 39 yards of the drive and finished with eight catches for 129 yards and two scores.
The Illini used a fake field goal attempt and subsequent 29-yard gain from Lars Rau to set up Jordan Anderson’s five-yard touchdown catch, to take a 14-7 lead with 8:33 left in the third quarter.
Houser completed 22-of-36 passes for 292 yards and three scores for Illinois, which tallied 376 yards of offense.
Dixon added his second score of the day, this time from six yards, to put Illinois up 21-7 with 13:38 remaining.
Nebraska came right back, going 91 yards in seven plays as Anthony Colandrea connected with Jacory Barney Jr. for a 51-yard catch and run to pull the Huskers within 21-13 with 10:44 left.
Illinois responded next possession, as Houser connected on a 58-yard pass to Collin Dixon to give the hosts first and goal. The Husker defense stiffened, forcing a 21-yard field goal from Ethan Moczulski to extend the margin to 24-13.
Nebraska drove into Illinois territory on its next possession, but Colandrea’s fourth down pass to Kwazi Gilmer was broken up by Juice Clark. The Blackshirts forced an Illinois put on its next series, but NU was unable to get past midfield and turned the ball over on downs to end its final threat.
Nebraska returns to action this week, as the Huskers travel to Rutgers. Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. and the game will be carried on BTN and the Huskers Radio Network.