Nebraska Football: Highlights from an explosive first half vs Illinois

We knew Nebraska football and Illinois were going to score points, but in the first half Saturday, the Huskers exploded out of the gates.

One of the keys this week for the Nebraska football team was starting fast. Well, the Huskers certainly did that against Illinois Saturday, scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter.

On the opening drive of the game, the Huskers quickly got into scoring position and after just a few plays, Adrian Martinez connected with Stanley Morgan Jr., for a touchdown pass.

Here’s a look at that touchdown pass from Martinez to Morgan which gave the Huskers a 7-0 lead.

Following a touchdown from Illinois, the Huskers quickly got into the end zone again. Maurice Washington ripped off a long run to get Nebraska football in scoring range and Martinez wrapped up the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run.

Illinois tied the score at 14-14 after a touchdown on its second drive of the game. However, on the ensuing possession for Nebraska, its third to start the game, the Huskers found the end zone again.

Martinez, who came into the game third in The Big Ten in total yards, threw his second touchdown pass of the game to guess who — Morgan. That put Nebraska in front 21-14.

Both Nebraska and Illinois were stopped on their next offensive possession, but after the Huskers punted for the first time, the Fighting Illini muffed it and gave Nebraska the ball back near midfield. That led to a field goal, pushing the lead to 24-14.

Illinois was driving the ball on the next drive and got near the Nebraska 30 when AJ Bush fumbled and the Blackshirts recovered. After a first down pass to JD Spielman, Devin Ozigbo did the rest, running 66 yards for a touchdown, making it 31-14 Nebraska.

Thanks to some incredible running by Bush, Illinois scored another touchdown before the half to make it 31-21, however, that doesn’t dampen the incredible first half by the Huskers, who racked up 356 yards in the first half.  Late in the first half, the Illini fumbled a punt once again giving Nebraska the ball deep in Illinois territory.

Then, on a third down, Martinez tossed his third touchdown pass of the game, this time to Jack Stoll, giving Nebraska a 38-21 halftime lead.

After an incredible start and five first-half touchdowns, we will see over the last 30 minutes if Scott Frost and the Huskers can hang on for their third win of the season.