Torrie Cox provides Illinois football a huge highlight in first half against Nebraska

It was an up-and-down first half for the Illinois football team, as it was a heavyweight boxing match against Nebraska.

The Illini were looking good early on in the game. We stopped Nebraska and freshman sensation Dylan Raiola on their first drive. Illinois’ offense followed that stop with a touchdown drive.

This first half hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the Orange and Blue, though. The game seemed to be shifting in favor of the Cornhuskers, but Illinois’ defense once again came through in a big way.

Sadly, at the end of the first half, Nebraska scored a late touchdown with a great catch by their wide receiver. The Cornhuskers went into halftime with a 17-10 lead.

Illinois football first half successes

• Torrie Cox Jr.

Illinois managed to tie the game up at 10-10, but Nebraska came back down the field and was driving. This would have been a huge momentum drive for the Cornhuskers, but Torrie Cox Jr. came up huge.

Nebraska had originally been credited with a touchdown, but after review, it was a great interception by Cox. This changed momentum completely.

• Blocking

Luke Altmyer had a great first half and was able to throw the ball down the field. This couldn’t have happened without the blocking up front. This includes great help blocking by running back Kaden Feagin. If Illinois can keep that type of blocking in the second half, we will be in a position to win the game.

• Luke Altmyer

I have been impressed with Altmyer this season. He has clearly improved from the 2023 campaign, and it is showing in the Nebraska game. He is stepping up in the pocket and delivering strikes. I have confidence he can lead Illinois to a lot of wins this season.

Illinois football first half failures

• Mistakes

Once again, like in the Kansas game, the first half issues were mistakes. We had a fumble in the first half against the Jayhawks, and the same can be said against Nebraska.

Illinois was driving again, and Hank Beatty caught a solid downfield pass. He was tackled and held up by a defender, and another defender came in behind and stripped the ball. Mistakes like that can’t happen against good teams.

• Mental errors

There isn’t much that can be said negatively against the Illini in the first half, but there were a few issues mentally. One example was when Altmyer was scrambling to the right, he could have thrown the ball away for no loss. Instead, he slides and loses a couple of yards. We can’t let Nebraska have free yards.