FRIDAY NIGHT LITE: ILLINI NO MATCH FOR CORN HUSKERS
Nebraska has its way with Illini, who struggle on both sides of ball
Associated Press
CHAMPAIGN — After a 1- 2 record in nonconference play, Nebraska has opened its Big Ten schedule with two victories.
Tanner Lee threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns to fuel the Cornhuskers to a 28- 6 victory Friday against Illinois.
Nebraska pulled out a back- andforth victory last week against Rutgers, but the Cornhuskers were in total control against the Illini.
‘‘ I think it’s coaching,’’ Lee said. ‘‘ The looks we were expecting are the looks we got. The plays we were running were things we practiced all week at practice. I’m glad that we got into a rhythm there. We just looked good.’’
Nebraska ( 3- 2, 2- 0) led from wire to wire. The Cornhuskers scored on their first possession, a quick 88- yard drive capped by a 45- yard touchdown pass from Lee to De’Mornay Pierson- El, and were never under pressure.
Pierson- El finished with four receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Stanley Morgan Jr. also had a big night, catching a career- high eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
‘‘ I think [ Lee] passed well,’’ Morgan Jr. ‘‘ He did an excellent job finding open receivers and getting the ball to us.’’
Morgan’s strong outing moved him up the list of Nebraska greats. He now has 84 catches and 1,152 receiving yards in his career, which are ranked 12th and 16th, respectively, in school history.
Led by running back Devine Ozigbo, the Cornhuskers also dominated Illinois on the ground. Ozigbo carried 18 times for 106 yards and a 15- yard touchdown.
The Illini ( 2- 2, 0- 1) continued to struggle behind run- first quarterback Chayce Crouch. He made several plays with his legs, including an impressive 19- yard scamper just before the half, but he threw for only 99 yards. Crouch has yet to pass formore than 150 yards this season.
Illinois’ struggles really showed after it kicked a field goal to cut its deficit to 21- 6 midway through the third quarter. Patrick Nelson forced a fumble by Ozigbo that was recovered by Stanley Green on Nebraska’s 28. But the Illini lost 14 yards on the next three plays and were forced to punt.
‘‘ Man, I thought the defense rose up all day long,’’ Cornhuskers coach Mike Riley said. ‘‘ Our ability to keep them out of the end zone was beautiful.’’
Illinois has lost 15 of its last 17 games after a bye week.
‘‘ We didn’t get anything going,’’ coach Lovie Smith said. ‘‘ Can’t talk about anyone playing well. We need a better game plan, and we need to play better. Simple as that.’’