CLARK GRELL
Lincoln Journal Star
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scott Frost and Nebraska’s offense wanted to ice the game.
Nervous Husker fans inside Illinois’ Memorial Stadium and watching from home felt the same, too.
Up 42-38 Saturday, Nebraska failed to score points on its second-to-last drive against the Illini despite reaching the 1-yard line. Illinois had a chance to drive down and win.
There was one group that said bring it. The game was in the Blackshirts’ hands.
“Defensively, we want to be in that situation,†NU junior linebacker Will Honas said. “That’s what you live for as a defensive player, when the game is on the line you’re out there. We couldn’t have been more excited to have it in our hands and be able to decide the game.â€
Illinois had 2 minutes, 3 seconds to put together a game-winning drive, but NU’s defense forced four incomplete passes to cap a wild game that saw the Husker offense gain 690 yards while holding Illinois to 299.
Nebraska’s defense was on its heels at times.
The Illini found some holes on the ground and gashed the Huskers for 221 rushing yards. That included a 66-yard touchdown run by Reggie Corbin on the game’s second play. Dre Brown broke free for a 36-yard touchdown to give Illinois a 28-14 lead early in the third quarter.
Multiple turnovers by the Husker offense also put the defense in tough spots. Four NU fumbles were recovered by Illinois in Husker territory, and it results in 21 points.
But NU’s defense didn’t cave, especially late.
“We were in a bad situation early,†NU senior defensive lineman Khalil Davis said. “When that happens, you just got to rally your team together and to keep fighting. We did a real good job of the offense going to pick us up when they scored, and they just gave us more energy and make those stops and make those plays to win the game.â€
Illinois scored only three points in the fourth quarter. After Nebraska took its first lead of the game at 42-38 with 7:55 remaining, the Blackshirts forced a three-and-out.
“I think the whole second half we were pretty confident that we still had control of the game,†said Honas, who finished with four tackles. “Even when we were down, I don’t think we ever we were truly going to lose the game. I always felt we were confident no matter what was going on.â€
NU’s defense was strong late, and Davis credits “War Daddy.â€
“A lot of has to do with Coach War Daddy, who has kept us in good shape,†Davis said of NU strength coach Zach Duval. “We could go another four quarters. We take pride in eating healthy and doing the right things off the field. It just helps us make plays in the end.â€
Outside of the two Illinois TD drives that ended in long touchdown runs, the Illini's longest drive was 37 yards, and NU's pass defense came to play, holding Illinois to 78 passing yards.
"We should have put the game away on offense," Frost said. "The flip side of that, it’s great to see our defense go out and get that stop. We been in that situation at least two times and haven’t gotten that stop. I’m just happy for the guys."
Photos: Nebraska comes back at Illinois for elusive road win
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) loses the ball as he's hit by Illinois' Sydney Brown on Sept. 21, 2019, in Champaign, Ill.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska's Caleb Tannor (2) brings down high-flying Illinois wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe (9), who fails to hold on to the ball last season at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) scores what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against Illinois' Sydney Brown (30) and Deon Pate (98) on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska wide receiver JD Spielman (10) is hit by Kerby Joseph of Illinois in the second quarter on Saturday's game in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska receiver Wan’Dale Robinson leaps into the end zone with a second-quarter touchdown against Illinois last season in Champaign, Ill.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Jovan Dewitt watches game action from the UCF-Pitt game with Huskers head coach Scott Frost on the video screen before the Illinois game on Sept. 21 in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (26) stays on the turf after fumbling a ball recovered by Illinois in the second quarter on Saturday's game in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska running back Maurice Washington (28) runs for a first down in the first quarter of Saturday's game in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches the action around the field during pregame warmups on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska's Caleb Tannor (2) brings down Illinois wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe, who fails to hold onto the ball in the first quarter on Saturday's game in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Illinois defender Kerby Joseph (25) is injured tackling Nebraska running back Maurice Washington (28) in the first quarter of Saturday's game.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska coach Scott Frost yells instructions to the offense during the first quarter of Saturday's game in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) rests on the turf after a first-quarter run near the goal line during Saturday's game in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska's Caleb Tannor (2) brings down Illinois wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe (9), who fails to hold onto the ball, in the first quarter on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Illinois' Reggie Corbin gets tackled by Nebraska's Collin Miller in the second quarter on Sept. 21 in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) tries to receiver a ball he fumbled in the first quarter against Illinois' Jake Hansen (35), who recovered the ball, on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Charlie Beck, 3 (lower right), of Papillion covers his ears as the sirens of the police motorcycles escorting the Nebraska team buses approaches on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois. He attended the game with his brother Brook, 5, and parents Craig and Elysia Beck.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) directs his receivers as he scrambles away from Illinois pressure in the first quarter on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska wide receiver JD Spielman (10) gets tackled by Illinois' Dele Harding (9) in the first quarter on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Illinois' running back Reggie Corbin (2) scores on a touchdown run against Nebraska in the first quarter on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska's Austin Allen (11) nearly blocks a punt by Illinois' Blake Hayes in the first quarter on Saturday at Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches a second-quarter replay on the videoboard on Sept. 21 in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scores on a two-point conversion to tie the game at 35-35 with Illinois in the fourth quarter on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Keaton Redline, 9, of Hastings catches a pass while tailgating before the Nebraska-Illinois game on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez rushes short of the goal line in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills scores in the third quarter against Illinois on Sept. 21, 2019, in Champaign, Ill.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska coach Scott Frost watches a video replay during a game against Illinois on Sept. 21, 2019, in Champaign, Ill.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) tries to break away from the ankle tackle of Illinois' Delano Ware on a fourth-quarter run in Champaign, Illinois, in a 2019 contest.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) breaks away from Illinois' Jamal Milan (55) in the fourth quarter of last season's game in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska kicker Lane McCallum (left) and holder Isaac Armstrong react after a missed field goal late in Saturday's game against Illinois in Champaign, Ill.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) carries the ball against Illinois defenders in the third quarter on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) is tackled by Illinois' Jake Hansen (35), who loses his helmet on the third-quarter play on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander watches the action against Illinois last September.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) runs the ball in the fourth quarter of Saturday's win at Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll (86) catches a pass in front of Illinois' Jartavius Martin (21) in the third quarter as Wan’Dale Robinson (1) looks on in Champaign, Illinois, in September 2019.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) runs for tough yards in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) runs in what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown on Saturday at Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) leaps into the end zone with a second-quarter score against Illinois on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) helped rally the Huskers to a 42-38 win over Illinois on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Three Illinois defenders try to catch Nebraska's Wan’Dale Robinson (right) in Champaign, Ill., on Sept. 22, 2019.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska linebacker JoJo Domann (13) grabs Illinois' Dre Brown during a second quarter run on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) communicates with Huskers' lineman Matt Farniok (left) before a first-quarter play against Illinois on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska coach Scott Frost (right) and Huskers offensive line coach Greg Austin watch the action against Illinois in the fourth quarter on Sept. 21, 2019, in Champaign, Ill.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll (86) catches a pass in front of Illinois' Jartavius Martin (21) in the third quarter as Wan’Dale Robinson (1) looks on Sept. 21, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska strength coach Zach Duval watches the team during pregame warmups Sept. 21, 2019, in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Jovan Dewitt watches game action from the UCF-Pitt game on the video screen before the Illinois game on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll scores on a touchdown pass from Adrian Martinez in the first quarter against Illinois on Sept. 21 in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Illinois, 9.21
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) and Illinois head coach Lovie Smith talk during pregame warmups Sept. 21, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Reach the writer at 402-473-2639 or cgrell@journalstar.com . On Twitter @LJSSportsGrell.
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