A slow and grueling gut punch.
That’s what Saturday’s loss to Illinois was for Nebraska. Coming off a bye and facing the No. 17 Illini at home, an opportunity to turn the season around was at hand
Instead, the 2022 campaign feels as bleak as it did in early September.
Illinois started off strong, scoring the first and picking off Casey Thompson in the first quarter but it only amounted to a six point lead after the missed extra point.
The Huskers found some momentum in the form of a 45 yard screen pass to tight end Chancellor Brewington which set up a Timmy Bleekrode field goal to cut the lead in half. Blackshirts then kept that momentum rolling by forcing a punt.
Nebraska took the lead early in the second quarter via a Travis Vokolek 56 yard touchdown reception. Nebraska’s PAT got blocked, making the Husker lead just 9-6.
And that was the last time Nebraska fans realistically saw a victory as possible.
On the next Nebraska drive, Rahmir Johson dropped a pivotal pass that could have shifted the game fully into Nebraska’s favor. Instead, the opposite happened.
After an Anthony Grant rush for a loss, Casey Thompson was rocked during his pass on the third down. The pass was picked off, and Thompson stayed on the turf, looking at his throwing hand.
Thompson would not return to the game, ending his night at 7-for-15 passing for 172 yards and a pair of interceptions.
Illinois capitalized on the short field with a touchdown and would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way. The Illini would grab another touchdown to end the half and take a 20-9 lead heading into the break.
Replacing Thompson became its own journey.
Logan Smothers took over for Nebraska immediately after Thomposon’s injury but was replaced by Chubba Purdy in the second half. Neither could replicate the play of QB1 as Purdy and Smothers combined for a total of 16 yards through the air and one turnover, adding 17 total yards on the ground.
The Nebraska offense had 29 yards, three first downs and failed to score in the second half.
Illinois dominated possession in the second half, holding the ball for 20 minutes thanks to a run game that racked up 25 attempts while passing the ball just eight times.
The Illini defense caused two turnovers and tallied 6 points in the second half, helping push the final score to 26-9
Illinois was able to silence Trey Palmer after his monstrous 297 yard performance against Purdue two weeks ago. Palmer was targeted six times but only grabbed one reception for a single yard.
Defensive back Sydney Brown grabbed two of Illinois’s three interceptions. The Illini lead the Big Ten in that department with 15 on the season.
Tommy Devito and Chase Brown were the stars of the game for the visitors. Devito ended the game 20-of-22 for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Brown, the leading rusher in the country, carried the ball for 149 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
After the game Nebraska Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph said that Casey Thompson was being evaluated immediately after the game and as of right now he is day to day but there will be more information to come.
In regards to the offensive slowdown the Huskers faced at the quarterback position after Thompson left the game Joseph said he thinks “anywhere around the country between one and two, there’s going to be a big gap.”
Coming into this contest, a strength of Nebraska was the quarterback position. Just 60 minutes of play later and it has become the number one concern for Big Red.
The Huskers fall to 3-5 and are currently tied for 5th in the Big Ten West. Illinois continued their magical season improving to 7-1 and keeping possession of first place in the West.
Nebraska returns to action next Saturday to host Minnesota.