It is a highly stimulating game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Illinois Fighting Illini. Both Nebraska and Illinois football clubs have identical 2-3 overall records, but fell to 0-2 in conference play last weekend, with Illinois suffering a 44-19 defeat at Purdue and Nebraska getting trounced 45-7 by Michigan. With such records, it can be anyone’s game.

Ultimately, Nebraska’s star quarterback Heinrich Haarberg is leading his team to victory in a 35-11 game. The Big Ten West showdown is taking place at the home venue of Illinois at Memorial Stadium on Friday. This matchup marked Nebraska’s head coach Matt Rhule’s first victory with his team.

Nebraska football crushes Illinois during halftime with 14-3

Illinois received the opening kickoff, which led to a successful first half for Nebraska football. Billy Kemp secured a 10-yard touchdown catch that put Nebraska on higher advantage with 7-0 in the first quarter. Nebraska’s defense shone as the team rendered Illinois with an 8-yard deficit on the drive. Jimari Butler sacked Illinois star QB Rocky Lombardi for a 9-yard loss on third down. 

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The field position of Nebraska contributed to their stellar on-field performance. With Tristan Alvano securing his second PAT kick and Haarberg hitting Thomas Fidone on a wide-open, Nebraska football secured a halftime record of 14-3.

With Nebraska’s commanding lead, they seem to have overturned their luck, or have they?

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