Illinois Tops Nebraska to Secure Bowl Eligibility

Illinois clinched a bowl berth with a 24-13 win over Nebraska in Champaign on November 6, extending its winning streak to four games. The Illini improved to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten, while Nebraska fell to 5-4 after losing four straight.

Nebraska went ahead 7-0 in the second quarter when Mekhi Nelson scored on a 15-yard run to cap a 98-yard drive. Illinois tied it late in the half on Katin Houser’s 3-yard pass to Collin Dixon. The catch established a school record for touchdown receptions in a season; Dixon finished with two scoring catches and eight receptions for 129 yards.

Illinois took the lead early in the third quarter after punter Lars Rau ran 29 yards on a fake field goal. The play set up Houser’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Anderson. Houser completed 22 of 36 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns.

Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw for 284 yards and a touchdown, but the Cornhuskers could not recover the lead. They also missed field goals from 54 and 45 yards in the first half.

Illinois has three regular-season games remaining and will visit No. 5 UCLA on November 13. Nebraska, still seeking its sixth win and bowl eligibility, visits Rutgers on November 14.