Illinois fends off Nebraska in 30-22 season-opening win

— 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.
Aug 29, 2021, 06:41 am - AP
Play-By-Play
1st Quarter
Illinois Fighting Illini
Safety
4:07 - 1st
0
NEB
2
ILL
Team Safety
6 plays, 3 yards, 3:42
2nd Quarter
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Touchdown
14:25 - 2nd
6
NEB
2
ILL
Markese Stepp 2 Yd Run (Connor Culp PAT failed)
7 plays, 63 yards, 2:27
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Field Goal
9:15 - 2nd
9
NEB
2
ILL
Connor Culp 27 Yd Field Goal
8 plays, 60 yards, 3:01
Illinois Fighting Illini
Touchdown
2:51 - 2nd
9
NEB
9
ILL
Mike Epstein 1 Yd Run (James McCourt Kick)
11 plays, 75 yards, 6:24
Illinois Fighting Illini
Touchdown
0:37 - 2nd
9
NEB
16
ILL
Calvin Hart Jr. 41 Yd Fumble Return (James McCourt Kick)
3 plays, 2 yards, 0:21
3rd Quarter
Illinois Fighting Illini
Touchdown
6:56 - 3rd
9
NEB
23
ILL
Luke Ford 2 Yd pass from Artur Sitkowski (James McCourt Kick)
14 plays, 75 yards, 8:04
Illinois Fighting Illini
Touchdown
4:01 - 3rd
9
NEB
30
ILL
Isaiah Williams 1 Yd pass from Artur Sitkowski (James McCourt Kick)
3 plays, 47 yards, 1:10
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Touchdown
3:48 - 3rd
16
NEB
30
ILL
Adrian Martinez 75 Yd Run (Connor Culp Kick)
1 play, 75 yards, 0:13
4th Quarter
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Touchdown
2:41 - 4th
22
NEB
30
ILL
Oliver Martin 4 Yd pass from Adrian Martinez (Connor Culp PAT failed)
19 plays, 91 yards, 6:42
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