Penalties, failed 4th downs, missed field goals plague Nebraska in 4th-straight loss

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Two missed field goals and 11 penalties for 82 yards plagued Nebraska in a 24-13 loss Friday night to Illinois at Gies Memorial Stadium. A 284-yard passing performance out of Anthony Colandrea and 426 total yards of offense was not enough to lead the Huskers to a win, now marking the fourth-straight loss.

Illinois’ (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) star receiver Colin Dixon – who entered Friday’s game with 10 touchdowns, ranking fourth in the country – could not be stopped by the Husker (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) defense, going for two touchdowns and 129 yards on eight catches.

The Huskers found the end zone first in the game, as Mekhi Nelson rushed for a 15-yard score in the second quarter to make it 7-0.

Illinois would then go on to score 21 unanswered points, including both Dixon scores, putting the Huskers in a then 21-7 hole. Nebraska would find some life early in the fourth, though, as Colandrea threw up a deep ball and Jacory Barney Jr. came down with it, scoring a 51-yard touchdown on the play.

Even though Nebraska may have gained some momentum at that point, the final two drives ended on failed fourth down conversion attempts, and Illinois would run out the clock on what is the fourth-straight win for the Fighting Illini.

Jamal Rule was the game’s leading rusher, going for 69 yards on 15 attempts, contributing to 142 overall rushing yards for Nebraska. Barney finished with 93 receiving yards.

Nebraska will look to get back on track on the road at Rutgers next Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network.