PLUCKY ILLINI CAN’T STOP QB MARTINEZ
Illinois enjoys lead at half, but Cornhuskers take control with strong 4th quarter
CHAMPAIGN — Sophomore Adrian Martinez passed for 328 yards and three touchdowns to lead Nebraska over Illinois 42-38 on Saturday night in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
The Cornhuskers (3-1, 1-0) put up 674 yards of offense compared to 299 by Illinois (2-2, 0-1).
Martinez also rushed 18 times for 118 yards.
Nebraska’s Wan’Dale Robinson had 89 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, and Dedrick Mills ran 12 times for 45 yards and two touchdowns.
Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters was 9-for-21 for 78 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Reggie Corbin carried the ball 20 times for 134 yards and a touchdown. Ra’Von Bonner, Dre Brown and Peters also had rushing touchdowns for the Illini.
Illinois took advantage of several Nebraska miscues early and led 21-14 at the half.
Perhaps the biggest Cornhuskers mistake was a fumble by Mills early in the second quarter at the Nebraska 2-yard line after being pinned there by a 53-yard punt by Blake Hayes.
Bonner carried the ball in on the next play, giving Illinois a 21-7 lead.
Corbin carried the ball 10 times for 91 yards in the first half.
Nebraska tied the score at 35 on the first series of the fourth quarter on Mills’ twoyard touchdown run and a two-point conversion run by Martinez.
It was an entertaining game that either team could’ve won, but Nebraska was able to overcome its numerous mistakes to take control in the fourth quarter.
Nebraska hosts Ohio State on Saturday, and Illinois travels to Minnesota on Oct 5.