CHAMPAIGN — Illinois football’s amazing turnaround continued, while Nebraska’s horrendous slide persisted.
Katin Houser completed 22 of 36 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns to lead Illinois (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) to its fourth straight win to clinch bowl eligibility for a third straight season, the first time Illinois has done that since 1992.
Meanwhile, Nebraska managed fewer than 17 points for a fourth straight game, resulting in a fourth straight loss. The Cornhuskers (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) managed seven points on five drives inside the Illinois 36.
Collin Dixon had eight receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns, making him the single-season receiving touchdown leader with 12 this season. Hudson Clement had five receptions for 87 yards, and Aidan Laughery had 92 yards from scrimmage.
Punter Lars Rau had a key 29-yard run on a fake field goal to help set up the Illini’s go-ahead score in the third quarter, part of a 21-0 run to flip the game.
Illinois freshman running back Javari Barnett left the game on a cart and with an air cast on his foot after a lower left leg injury. Starting center Jake Renfro left in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury, though he was walking after the game.