This was a game that Nebraska should have won pretty easily, something in the ballpark of 35-10. However, the Huskers entered as 4.5-point favorites, controlled the stat sheet for long stretches, and outgained Illinois 426-376. They even held the Illini to just 84 rushing yards. But as Nebraska fans know all too well, on-paper stats mean nothing under Matt Rhule in November, on the road, and especially on a Friday night.
The Huskers struck first on a 15-yard Mekhi Nelson touchdown run in the second quarter to go up 7-0 after a methodical 98-yard drive. Illinois answered late in the half with a 3-yard Collin Dixon touchdown reception from Katin Houser. From there, the script flipped. A fake field goal and 29-yard run by holder Lars Rau set up Jordan Anderson’s 5-yard score early in the third, and Dixon added a 6-yard score to make it 21-7. Jacory Barney Jr.’s 51-yard catch-and-run pulled Nebraska within 21-13, but the two-point conversion failed. Illinois answered with a 21-yard field goal for the final margin.
Anthony Colandrea had a clean night statistically (32-of-43 for a season-high 284 yards and a touchdown, no interceptions), and Jamal Rule added 69 rushing yards. It didn’t matter. Nebraska left points on the field with two missed field goals from John Hohl, 11 penalties for 82 yards, multiple failed fourth-down tries, and the missed two-point try. Illinois made the plays that counted, with Dixon hauling in eight catches for 129 yards and two scores as the Illini became bowl-eligible with their fourth straight win.
I predicted this game to be a loss months ago. Just look at Rhule’s record in November, on the road, and on Fridays. Under Rhule, Nebraska is now 2-11 in November, the worst among recent coaches, and the program’s road and short-week issues continue to surface. The 5-0 start that had fans believing in a breakthrough has collapsed into a four-game skid. My faith in Rhule is at an all-time low, as is the faith of what seems to be most Husker fans. Close losses that once felt like progress now feel like a pattern of self-inflicted wounds and an inability to finish.
The chances of Nebraska going to a bowl game are a coin toss at best right now. At 5-4, the Huskers need one more win. Nebraska will struggle against Rutgers on the road next Saturday, struggle against Ohio State at home, and will likely get embarrassed by Iowa on the road to close the regular season. If Nebraska can beat Rutgers and become bowl-eligible, they will probably end up being invited to the Pinstripe Bowl, the Cactus Bowl, or the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. If you were told at halftime against Indiana that Nebraska would, at best, be invited to one of those bowl games, you would have laughed.
Rhule’s postgame comments about needing “a couple more plays” only underscore the frustration. Nebraska has the talent. It keeps failing to convert them into wins when it matters. With the November gauntlet still ahead, the 2026 season that began with genuine optimism is now fighting to avoid a fifth straight loss and salvage bowl eligibility.
