Nebraska Cornhuskers choke game away to Illinois in final minute
After Saturday’s 14-13 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini, it’s time to realize the Nebraska Cornhuskers are not a good football team. Why? Well, it’s coaching. The Huskers took a 13-0 lead into the fourth quarter of a sloppy game, and let the game get away in the final minute.
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With one minute left in the contest, Nebraska held the ball with a 13-7 lead in Illinois territory. The Fighting Illini were out of timeouts, and hoping for a miracle. Well, they received it in the form of a bonehead decision by the Nebraska coaching staff. Instead of calling a run, the Huskers decided on a bootleg play. Tommy Armstrong tried to complete a pass to Devine Ozigbo, but the throw was incomplete, and Nebraska’s season ended in the first week of October.
Why? Cause it took the Illinois offense less than a minute to move the ball down field with a couple of receptions, and the help of some defensive penalties. Finally, Wes Lunt connected with Geronimo Allison for a 1-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds left. The extra point was good to give the Illini an improbable win.
Now Nebraska is sitting at (2-3, 0-1), and wondering if they made the right decision by hiring Mike Riley. Tommy Armstrong completed (10-30) passes for 105 yards, and an interception.
Wes Lunt shook off a rough start to finish 23/45 for 251 yards, and two touchdowns. His final pass of the night was a game winner to Geronimo Allison. The electrifying wide receiver caught eight passes for 91 yards. Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn led all rushers with 98 yards.
The Huskers took a 10-0 halftime lead over the Illinois Fighting Illini in an offensively challenged first half. Running back Devine Ozigbo scored the lone 19-yard touchdown run.
Tommy Armstrong struggled with the wind, completing 7/16 passes for 79 yards in the first half. However, Armstrong gained 31 first half yards, leading the Huskers in rushing. He was followed by Ozigbo’s 28 yards in the ground game. Terrell Newby only carried the ball three times for 14 yards.
Defensively, Nebraska held the Fighting Illini scoreless, with a strong defense inside the red zone. Wes Lunt threw the ball 19 times, while completing nine passes for 89 yards.
Kicker Tyler Zalewski missed a pair of field goals in the first half. After a De’Mornay Pierson-El muffed punt, the Illini had great field position, but they were unable to capitalize in the first quarter. After another promising possession, Zalewski missed a field as time expired to end the first period.
Running back Josh Ferguson left the game after injuring his shoulder in the first half. He had four carries for 50 yards, but the bulk of his yards came on a 48 yard scamper in the first quarter.
Illinois out gained Nebraska 208-169 in the first half. The Fighting Illini moved to (4-1, 1-0) in Big Ten play.