ThotDoc's Brain Droppings on the Illinois game

Blackshirts' barricade befuddles Illini, but offensive blunders block a beatdown

Jim “ThotDoc” Childerston | Oct 7, 2023

Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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It was fall football weather Friday night in Champaign as the visiting Nebraska Cornhuskers rode a strong defensive performance to defeat the Illinois Illini 20-7. Nebraska improved to 4-0 in Friday night road games since 2017 and snapped a 3-game losing streak against Illinois. Nebraska hadn’t won a game going into its bye week since 2016, a 31-16 over Illinois. Coincidentally, that season was also the last time the Huskers qualified for a Bowl.

Thanks to two stops inside the 1-yard line on Illinois’ opening possession, the Blackshirts set the tone early as to how difficult it was going to be for Illinois to score. Nebraska held Illinois scoreless in the first quarter, marking the fourth time in six games the Huskers have blanked the opponent in the opening quarter. NU has shut out the opponent in the first quarter in all three road games.

While Illinois managed 310 yards in the game, 74 came on that opening drive that was stuffed at the goal line, they traveled 76 yards on their 5-play solo scoring drive in the second quarter, and 67 yards on their final possession of the game that ended with another turnover on downs. That’s 217 yards on three drives and 93 yards on its other 9 possessions. Illinois garnered just 58 yards on its first five drives of the second half. Nebraska had six tackles for loss and three sacks. The defense forced 5 punts, a missed field goal, produced a fumble, and had an interception to go along with three drives that resulted in a turnover on downs. Nebraska’s defense had a season-high seven pass breakups in the game.

Illinois rushed 19 times for just 21 yards in the game (1.1 yd per attempt average). This marked the fifth time in six games Nebraska has held its opponent to less than 60 yards rushing. They held the Illini to 4 of 15 on 3rd down attempts and just 1 of 4 on 4th down. By getting off the field, it led to a 37:13 to 22:43 advantage in time of possession. No matter how inept the Nebraska offense was in this game, the defense never allowed Illinois to get closer. Despite the Husker offense turning the ball over three times in the second half, Illinois scored zero points off those turnovers.

Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer passes the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois running back Kaden Feagin runs through an opening in the Nebraska Cornhuskers defense during the first half of the game.

Nebraska defensive back Phalen Sanford brings down Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Williams as he lunges to the goal line during the first half.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg hands the ball to running back Anthony Grant during the first half against the Fighting Illini.

Nebraska kicker Tristan Alvano watches his field goal during the first half of the game.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg passes the ball as defensive lineman Alec Bryant applies pressure during the first half.

Nebraska kicker Tristan Alvano celebrates Nebraska's recovery of a mishandled kickoff during the second quarter.

Nebraska's kickoff coverage players celebrate a recovered ball after Illinois failed to field the short kick during the second quarter.

One play after the recovery on the kickoff, Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg runs for a touchdown.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule on the sidelines during the first half.

Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Nebraska defensive back Quinton Newsome during the second quarter.

Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant catches a pass and falls into the end zone as Nebraska defensive back Quinton Newsome drags him down during the second quarter.

Kaden Feagin runs through an opening in the Nebraska defense during the first half

Illinois coach Bret Bielema talks with an official during the first half.

Mikai Gbayor tackles Illinois running back Reggie Love III during the second half.

Dylan Rosiek tackles Nebraska running back Anthony Grant during the second half.

Wide receiver Isaiah Williams tries to elude the tackle of Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog during the second half.

Mikai Gbayor reacts after making a stop during the second half.

Heinrich Haarberg tries to get past Illini defensive back Tahveon Nicholson during the second half.

Nebraska defensive back Tommi Hill runs with the ball after an Illinois turnover in the second half.

Nebraska Matt Rhule on the sidelines during the second half.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer is pursued by Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson during the second half.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer gets a pass away during the second half.

Heinrich Haarberg is pursued by Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott during the second half.

Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott intercepts the ball in front of Nebraska wide receiver Alex Bullock during the second half.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson tries to elude Illinois defensive back Nicario Harper during the second half.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg smiles with teammates on the bench during the second half.

Isaac Gifford led a number of outstanding performers on defense with eight tackles and had a career-high three pass breakups, all in the fourth quarter. Linebacker John Bullock (6 tackles) had his finest game as a Husker that included his first career sack (-4 yards) in the second quarter and added a deflection. Phelan Sanford made the most of his first start with six tackles and forced a fumble with a solid hit that ended up in Tommi Hill’s arms. Senior cornerback Quinton Newsome (5 tackles) made his 30th consecutive start in tonight’s game and finally notched his first career interception (with a 39-yard return) in the fourth quarter. Defensive end Jimari Butler (3 tackles) had 1.5 sacks in the second quarter and Princewill Umanmielen contributed a ½ sack and a QB hurry. Kudos to Riley Van Poppel who shed his block and met the running back just inches from the goal line on that first 4th down stop and Nash Hutmacher and Nick Henrich who stuffed another fourth down at midfield. Mikai Gbayor played well and had a 9-yard tackle for loss and Cameron Lenhardt returned and was able to play a few downs.

Nebraska’s offense totaled 312 yards with 193 of them coming on three scoring drives, an 86-yard drive that ended in a field goal, a 14-play 79-yard drive that ended with a Grant touchdown, and the ensuing 25-yard Haarberg touchdown run 10 seconds later. Their other 11 drives totaled 119 yards with 4 punts, two fumbles, an interception and a missed field goal. It also included an 8-yard drive that led to a field goal. Nebraska started 4 drives in the second half in Illinois territory and ran 20 plays inside the Illinois 25-yard line but came up with just three points.

Nebraska’s best drive of the season may have been the 79-yarder in the second quarter that included a 3rd and 10 conversion and a 4th and 5 completion for 6 yards. On that drive, Ty Hahn (21 yards) and Malachi Coleman (5 yards) both had their first career receptions. The drive also consumed 6:38 and along with the initial 86-yd drive that took 6:47 off the clock were two of the four drives over 6:30 so far on the season. Those drives give one hope that the offense can produce yards and points, but the rest of the game was an exercise in futility making one wonder if Nebraska can ever achieve an offensive identity.

Heinrich Haarberg was 12 for 24 passing for 154 yards and he distributed those tosses to seven different receivers. He also suffered his second interception on the season when he threw deep into double coverage on a 3rd and 14 play that functioned like a punt. Along with 82 rushing yards on 18 carries, Haarberg accounted for 236 yards in the game, the third time in four starts he has eclipsed 200 yards. His 25-yard TD run in the second quarter marked his fifth run of at least 20 yards this season. Matt Rhule was upset at halftime with a missed read that Haarberg made late in the 2nd quarter on a 3rd down play where he said if he would have kept it, he may have had a 64-yard touchdown. Haarberg suffers from significant inconsistency in that he overthrows receivers, then hits them in narrow windows. He also tends to throw deep when he has open receivers at 10-15 yards. His throwing angle is what it is. Where is Jeff Sims? Will he play again at some point?

Marcus Washington had a 39-yard reception in the first quarter before being injured. Thomas Fidone had 3 catches for 42 yards and also missed on a catchable high ball when he may have been hearing footsteps. Billy Kemp also added 3 grabs for 26 yards and had 22 of those yards after the catch. Alex Bullock had 2 grabs for 16 yards. With the wide receiver room getting thinner and thinner, the youngsters will have to step up even more.

Anthony Grant had 56 yards on 20 carries as he struggled to find daylight. Unfortunately, he also lost another fumble and was a bit banged up in the second half. Emmett Johnson (7 carries for 29 yards) showed a good burst and some shifty moves before botching a handoff leading to another turnover.

Special teams had a very good game in that they recovered a fumble on a kickoff, blocked a punt and helped Nebraska to own a 14-yard advantage in average starting field position. Linebacker Grant Tagge recovered the fumble and Blaise Gunnerson blocked the punt with his shin in a very unusual play. Tristan Alvano seemed to correct some of his kicking woes by nailing field goals from 31 and 32 yards against the wind, before missing from 36 when the ball was improperly placed. Alvano is now 3 for 7 on treys for the year. The kickers and punter prevented any return yardage and Brian Buschini averaged 33.8 yards on 4 punts as the wind was a factor for both teams.

The Huskers head into the bye week at 3-3 and are halfway to bowl eligibility with winnable games left on the schedule. The bye week comes at a good time as the team is bruised and battered and needs the 15-day break to heal. The defense appears good enough to keep the Huskers in all their remaining games. The question is whether the offense will serve as an asset or liability. If they can be an asset at least three times, the Huskers may get to .500. The Cambridge dictionary defines development as “the process in which someone or something grows or changes and becomes more advanced.” We are told that this is a year of development, and we are yearning for more positive growth and change. We shall see. Go Big Red!!!

More coverage & commentary: HuskerMax game page

Published Oct 7, 2023

JIM “THOTDOC” CHILDERSTON

Jim Childerston is a lifelong Cornhusker fan who was born and reared in Omaha, Nebraska. He is old enough to have experienced the best of times and the worst of times as a Nebraska fan. Currently living in Hagerstown, Maryland, Dr. Childerston is a clinical psychologist specializing in a broad spectrum of psychological disciplines including individual and couple therapy, as well as medical and pharmacological consulting. He is a nationally known author and a widely sought speaker who has led seminars and retreats across the United States. His username on the HuskerMax bulletin board is ThotDoc and he has been posting his “Brain Droppings” there since 2010. You can reach Dr. Childerston at jchilderston(at)gmail.com.