Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini: Five Players To Watch
When the Nebraska Cornhuskers take the field for their first Big Ten football game of the season, they’ll be facing an Illinois Fighting Illini defense that gives up 19 points per game. However, looks may be deceiving when it comes to the Fighting Illini. In the first two games, Illinois gave up three total points. Over the last two games, they gave up 73 points, including a road loss to North Carolina. Still, the Fighting Illini have a (3-0) record at home, and that’s where the Huskers will vie for their first conference victory.
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Throughout the first month of the season, there’s been an eerily similar feeling for the Huskers in every game. They enter conference play with a (2-2) record, and three of the games were decided on the final play. Why should it be any different on the road at Illinois?
Defensively, the Huskers have had major trouble with the passing game. The Huskers have reached a breaking point in every game. Against BYU, they let up a “Hail Mary.” While defeating South Alabama with relative ease, the defense still gave up 313 passing yards. During the overtime loss to Miami, Brad Kaaya torched the ‘Blackshirts’ for 379 yards passing. The latest setback came against Southern Miss. Quarterback Nick Mullens for 447 yards through the air.
Each game has gotten progressively worse, and quarterbacks have started to become Heisman candidates when they face the Huskers. Now the Huskers must match wits with Wes Lunt. So far, Lunt is completing 60 percent of his passes, while throwing for six touchdowns and two interceptions this season. He must be salivating at his chance to take on the Huskers’ defense on Saturday.
Once again, the Huskers offense must play a great game. They haven’t been able to put together a full four quarters of great football, but Saturday would be the perfect spot to turn the corner. Although the Huskers average 36.2 points per game, they could be ringing up more points on opposing defenses.
Let’s see if the Huskers can have a complete effort on both sides of the ball. For that to happen, here are Five Players to Watch on Saturday.