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Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini win over Nebraska

By Rees Woodcock

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Tommy DeVito #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Tommy DeVito #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 29: Jer’Zhan Newton #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates with Calvin Hart Jr. #5 and Gabe Jacas #17 after recovering a fumble against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 29: Jer’Zhan Newton #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates with Calvin Hart Jr. #5 and Gabe Jacas #17 after recovering a fumble against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

2. Illinois defense came through again

I am not sure what Illinois’ record would be this season without the play of their tremendous defense. Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters has this unit playing some incredible football.

The game against Nebraska is just another example of the power of this Illinois defense. Yes, the Cornhuskers actually started the game well. They had the lead at one time, 9-6. But that is when everything changed.

Illinois’ defense got to Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson, which made him throw the ball right to Illini safety, Sydney Brown. This pick changed the momentum for the rest of the game. Thompson went out with an injury, and Illinois had an 11-yard touchdown drive.

From that point forward, the Illini defense was suffocating. Our offense even gave Nebraska the ball at our 17 yard line, but the defense got pressure on Chubba Purdy and forced him to throw an interception.

Nebraska’s quarterbacks combined to go 11-of-24 for 188 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. That is a 45.8% completion rate. Their running backs had 25 carries for 60 yards and didn’t find the end zone. We also forced four turnovers.

There was a moment where the Illini defense showed some weakness, but they quickly erased that. Once again, we held an opponent to under 10 points. I have never seen anything like it.

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