Illinois fends off Nebraska in season-opening victory

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Under a new coach, with fans packed into the stands for the first time since 2019 and its backup quarterback at the helm, Illinois beat Nebraska 30-22 on Saturday to kick off the 2021 college football season.

The Big Ten conference win didn't come without a price for the Illini.

Illinois starting quarterback Brandon Peters left the game holding his left (non-throwing) shoulder after being sacked hard near the end of the first quarter. He was 3 of 4 passing for 35 yards. He did not return and was replaced by Artur Sitkowski, a sophomore transfer from Rutgers.

Peters' status wasn't clear following Saturday's game. Sitkowski engineered several long scoring drives using a balanced attack under first-year coach Bret Bielema.

Sitkowski was 12 of 15 passing for 124 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Illini rushing attack was led by Mike Epstein, who rushed for 75 yards on 16 carries, including a 45-yard run in the first quarter.

Huskers quarterback Adrian Martinez was impressive, racking up 232 passing yards on 16 completions. He had one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. Martinez was Nebraska's leading rusher, with 111 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown.

Gabe Ervin Jr. carried the ball 12 times for 19 yards and Markese Stepp had three carries for 10 yards and a touchdown for the Huskers.

Illinois scored on a defensive gem late in the first half when Keith Randolph Jr. sacked Martinez and knocked the ball loose near midfield. Calvin Hart Jr. scooped it up and scampered 41 yards for an Illini touchdown with less than a minute in the half.

Hart Jr. was injured late in the game and was helped off the field with what appeared to be a left leg injury. Illinois led 16-9 at the break.

FRESNO ST. 45, UCONN 0

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Jake Haener threw for three touchdowns and 331 yards and Fresno State started its 100th year of football with a 45-0 win over Connecticut on Saturday.

Haener left the contest on the Bulldogs' first drive of the second half due to apparent leg cramps as temperatures on the field reached 120 degrees.

Haener, a transfer from Washington, threw all his TD passes in the second quarter and by intermission had 299 passing yards.

Haener threw a short crossing route to Jalen Cropper who weaved and outraced the defense for an 86-yard score to make it 28-0 just before halftime.