CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Energized by a stellar student crowd, the Fighting Illini defense forced four turnovers, but it wasn't enough as Nebraska beat Illinois, 42-38 Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
Reggie Corbin exploded on the second offensive snap of the game for a 66-yard touchdown run. The senior finished with 134 yards on the ground for a 6.7 yard/carry average.
Striking Early
Reggie Corbin broke a 66-yard touchdown run on Illinois' second snap of the game. The run was the longest of the season for Corbin and the longest play from scrimmage of the season for the Illini. Corbin finished the game with 134 yards on 20 carries.
Business as Usual for Betiku
Oluwole Betiku, Jr. added to his FBS-leading sack total with his seventh of the season Saturday. He also added 3.0 tackles to bring his Big-Ten leading total to 10.5. The Illini recorded a season-high 13.0 TFLs on the night.
Take It Away, Boys
The Illinois defense had a nose for the ball Saturday, forcing a season-high four turnovers. The Orange and Blue scooped up four fumbles, including two by Jartavius Martin. Betiku and Jake Hansen each recovered fumbles of their own, while Tony Adams, Dele Harding, and Ayo Shogbonyo eached forced one.
Team Notes
• Illinois fell to 2-2.
• Illinois has scored 30+ points in each of the first four games this season. Illinois' four-game streak of scoring 30+ is tied for the third-longest streak in program history. Illinois is on a four-game streak of scoring 30+ points for the sixth time in program history and first since the program-record seven-game streak to end the 2001 season (includes Sugar Bowl).
• Illinois' 142 points are its most through four games since scoring 161 in the first four games of 2013.
• Illinois had four fumble recoveries, tied for the second-most fumble recoveries in a single game in FBS this season (South Florida had six vs. South Carolina State 9/14/19).
• Illinois recovered four fumbles for the first time since at Rutgers 10/15/16.
• Illinois forced Nebraska to its first time losing three fumbles since losing four at Wisconsin 11/15/2014.
• Illinois did not start a true freshman for the fourth straight game. Entering this season, Illinois had started at least one true freshman in 33 straight games, by far the longest streak in program history.
• Illinois started five transfers - QB Brandon Peters, WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, OL Richie Petitbon, DL Oluwole Betiku Jr., LB Milo Eifler
• Illinois captains: LB Dele Harding, LB Jake Hansen, P Blake Hayes, OL Doug Kramer, OL Alex Palczewski
Individual Notes
• Senior RB Reggie Corbin ran 20 times for 134 yards and one touchdown. It was his sixth career 100-yard rushing game and second in a row. Corbin became the 18th Illini in history to gain 2,000 career rushing yards, as he sits at exactly 2,000. Corbin broke a 66-yard touchdown run on Illinois' second snap of the game. The run was the Illini's longest play from scrimmage this season.
• Junior QB Brandon Peters was 9-for-21 passing for 78 yards and one touchdown. In four starts at Illinois he has 10 touchdown passes. In 10 games played at Michigan he had four touchdown passes.
• Junior WR Josh Imatorbhebhe caught his fourth touchdown of the season to give Illinois a 14-0 lead with 8:12 remaining in the first quarter.
• Junior RB Ra'Von Bonner had his third rushing touchdown of the season.
• Junior LB Jake Hansen had 10 tackles (nine solo), 1.0 TFL, and one fumble recovery. It was his third fumble recovery of the season.
• Junior DL Oluwole Betiku Jr. had five tackles (all solo), 1.0 sack, 3.0 TFLs and one fumble recovery. He entered the week as the national leader in sacks (6.0) and TFLs (7.5).
• Sophomore DB Jartavius Martin recoverd two fumbles, becoming the first Illini with two fumble recoveries in one game since James Crawford vs. Rutgers 10/14/2017.
• Junior DL Ayo Shogbonyo had a career-high 3.0 TFLs and his second career forced fumble.
• Junior DB Tony Adams had a career-high 12 tackles (10 solo).
• Junior RT Alex Palczewski started for the 27th straight game.
• Junior C Doug Kramer started for the 19th straight game.
• Junior LT Vederian Lowe started for the 17th straight game.
• Sophomore LG Kendrick Green started for the 16th straight game.
