In a half-season pockmarked by offensive inconsistency, the one thing Nebraska did each of the first three games is begin the game with possession and move the ball down the field quickly.
Entering Saturday’s game against Illinois at Memorial Stadium, one year after the Illini nearly beat the Huskers thanks in part to four forced turnovers, the message heard over and over and over again was that Nebraska must protect the football. Must.
On this game’s first snap, NU redshirt freshman quarterback Luke McCaffrey threw the ball sideways to Wan’Dale Robinson, the officiating crew ruled it went backward, Illinois recovered and punched in a touchdown three plays later.
Eighty-nine seconds into the game, Nebraska’s one offensive advantage was gone. It’s top-line key to the game fell squarely behind the eight ball. And it did not get better from there.
One week after its first victory of the season, Nebraska imploded instead of building on a foundation. The Huskers turned the ball over five times and failed to slow an Illini offense that entered the game averaging 17 points per game, resulting in an all-around putrid 41-23 loss to the Illini.
“We started the game off about the way we played the whole game,” coach Scott Frost said afterward. “I did not see this coming. We talked all this week about what we needed to do to win and that after a good win for our program last week, we needed to double down on everything we’ve been doing — energy, practice habits, enthusiasm.
“I was embarrassed by our level of execution in all three phases.”
There is no one direction in which to point the blame for this one.
Nebraska generated virtually no passing offense in the first half, gaining only 70 yards through the air on 7-of-18 passing by McCaffrey, along with two interceptions, three drops and several missed opportunities downfield.
NU got good rushing numbers from the quarterback position once again but did not establish any ability to push the line of scrimmage up front.
Defensively, Illinois’ scoring drives covered 21 yards — after the turnover on the first play — and then featured marches of 75, 65, 89, 65 and 75 yards before the fourth quarter even began.
“I didn’t think we had the juice that we had last week on defense,” Frost said. “We didn’t get as many hats to the ball on defense. We made mistakes over and over on offense.”
If those weren’t bad enough, when the defense did force a three-and-out to open the second half with the Huskers trailing 28-10 and looking for a spark, the return unit totally lost track of punter Blake Hayes, who recognized that nobody was paying attention and waltzed 14 yards for a first down despite looking entirely unsure of what to do with so much green grass in front of him.
Equally puzzling: What now is in front of Nebraska? A short week before a Black Friday trip to Iowa, but how does the program square such a promising outing against the Nittany Lions with such a deflating setback against the Illini?
“It was almost like our team thought we won one game, we’re good,” Frost said. “That’s not how it works in this league, that’s not how it works in life, that’s not how it works in football.”

Illinois' Josh Imatorbhebhe (9) pulls in a touchdown pass in front of Nebraska's Dicaprio Bootle in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
This one spelled trouble from the start. Nebraska responded to the first-play turnover with a touchdown drive of its own, but then Illinois went right down the field, 75 yards in nine plays, and scored again. Then the Illini went 65 in seven plays on their next trip. Seven more points.
Nebraska’s offense, inconsistent at best and lifeless at worst over the opening three games, did not have close to the horsepower to keep pace. After a 71-yard, first-quarter scoring drive came an interception. Then a punt and a 10-play drive that ended in a field goal after a fourth-down touchdown run was wiped off the board by a holding penalty against center Cameron Jurgens. He was replaced at halftime by senior Matt Farniok. The rest of the first half featured a three-and-out and an interception.
“I think we had a decent game plan, but during the week we didn’t execute those things in practice, and when you don’t execute in practice, it’s hard to execute in a game,” junior tight end Austin Allen said.
For an idea of just how bad Nebraska was offensively in the first half, the first of McCaffrey’s two interceptions was actually a better outcome than the alternative. On fourth-and-4 from the UI 42-yard line, Jurgens’ snap sailed past McCaffrey high and to the right. He had to pick it up deep in the backfield, escape to his left and throw the ball down the field. Better a pick than a fumble, if you’re looking for the faintest of silver linings.
The second one came as NU was trying to push the ball down the field late in the half. A ball down the right sideline for Levi Falck hung up in the air.
All in all, Nebraska had five turnovers and didn’t force a single one, creating a monstrous gap in the category that was highlighted over and over again as one of the main ones that would determine the outcome between a Husker offense that’s been prone to giving the ball away and an Illini defense that’s been good at taking it.
“Coach (Tom) Osborne told us before every game that the team that’s most physical is going to win, the team that plays better is going to win and the team that wins the turnover battle is going to win,” Frost said. “We did that last week. We got beat physically today. We turned the ball over, and we certainly didn’t win on special teams.
“We’ll keep preaching that until the kids understand it.”
Illinois put 28 first-half points on the board behind 290 yards of offense, then opened up the second half with an apparent three-and-out. The fake punt, though, jump-started what turned into a 16-play drive that not only led to three more points but also took nearly five extra minutes off the clock.
That set the tone for the rest of the half. Nursing a multi-score lead, Illinois' first three second-half possessions looked like this:
* 16 plays, 65 yards, 6:31 time of possession, three points.
* 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:17 TOP, seven points.
* 12 plays, 41 yards, 5:42 TOP, three points.
Overall, Illinois outgained Nebraska 490 yards to 392, running the ball 52 times for 282 yards (5.5 per carry) and four touchdowns. It also got a strong performance from quarterback Brandon Peters (18-of-25 for 205 yards and a touchdown, plus 36 rushing yards and another score) in his first game back since missing 21 days due to the Big Ten’s COVID-19 protocol.
Both Mike Epstein and Chase Brown topped 100 yards rushing for Illinois, and the visitors converted 11 of 17 third-down tries.
“Nobody played good enough to win today,” Frost said. “Right from the first snap of the game, nobody played good enough to win. I told the team we all have to look in the mirror on that.”
Frost was adamant that he believes in this group, but that he and the coaching staff have to find a way to keep it from getting in its own way as the search for progress continues.
“I feel like we’ve come a long way, but it sure didn’t feel like it today,” Frost said. “We’re going to get this fixed, but the results need to come. The results are going to come, this is what I told the players, when their expectations and their effort are aligned. I didn’t think we had as much juice today. I didn’t think we had as much enthusiasm.
“I would die to go back and play one more game at Memorial Stadium. Nobody had to tell me to be fired up to play. I’d give anything to go back and play one more time on that turf. I didn’t see it coming, but felt like we were lackadaisical today. We acted like we won one game and we were going to be fine.”

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws an interception under pressure from Illinois' Khalan Tolson (45) in the first quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) scores the Huskers' first touchdown against Illinois in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Alec McEachern (46) and Nebraska's Niko Cooper (32) reach for a fumble on a kickoff return in the second quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) chases after a bad snap along with Illinois' Owen Carney Jr. (99) in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Wan’Dale Robinson (1) signals the touchdown as Husker quarterback Luke McCaffrey scores in the third quarter against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Chase Brown rushes in the third quarter against Nebraska's Will Honas on Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) throws the ball as Nebraska coach Scott Frost looks on during a game against Illinois on Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters directs the team at the line of scrimmage against Nebraska in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with junior quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) on the sideline in the third quarter against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Daniel Barker (87) pulls in the pass as he's defended by Nebraska's Marquel Dismuke in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska assistant coaches Tony Tuioti (left) and Barrett Ruud watch the video board during a second-half timeout against Illinois on Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters (18) celebrates his third-quarter touchdown against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska safety Myles Farmer (left) is flagged for a facemask call against Illinois' Donny Navarro (86) in the third quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters (18) reacts after scoring on a 1-yard run against Nebraska in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska safety Myles Farmer (left) was flagged for a facemask call against Illinois' Donny Navarro (86) in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Marvin Scott rushes against Illinois' Devon Witherspoon (31) in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Marvin Scott (24) looks to elude Illinois' Devon Witherspoon (31) and Roderick Perry in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and Cam Taylor-Britt (5) walk off the field after the Huskers' 41-23 loss to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) reacts after the Huskers loss to Illinois 41-23 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) directs the team at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost watches the video board in the North Stadium in the closing moments of the Huskers' 41-23 loss to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Wan’Dale Robinson (right) pulls in a pass despite the tight defense of Illinois' Nate Hobbs in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Alante Brown (4) is dragged down by Illinois' Nick Fedanzo (24) in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) pushes past Illinois' Ethan Tabel (56) and Blake Hayes on a punt return in the second quarter Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Khalan Tolson (45) and Jake Hansen (35) combine to tackle Nebraska's Austin Allen in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) slips past Illinois' Khalan Tolson (45) in the second quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Wan'Dale Robinson (1) is tackled by Illinois' Khalan Tolson in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Tony Adams (6) celebrates snagging an interception with teammate Devon Witherspoon in the second quarter against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' offensive lineman Doug Kramer (65) falls on an Illinois fumble ahead of Nebraska's Will Honas (3) and Deontai Williams in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) finds room to run against Illinois in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) warms up with teammate Baron Miles in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska inside linebacker Collin Miller (31) is wheeled off on a stretcher after a second-half injury against Illinois on Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska lineman Ben Stille (95) is helped to his feet by teammates Pheldarius Payne (49), Collin Miller (31) and Ty Robinson (99) in the second half against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska linebacker Collin Miller is wheeled off on a stretcher after a second-half injury against Illinois on Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) gets tackled by Illinois' Isaiah Gay (92) in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Marvin Scott (24) looks for a hole in the Illinois defensive line during the second quarter Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

A worker waits to release balloons after the first Nebraska touchdown against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Chase Brown (2) looks for a hole in the Nebraska defensive line in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters (18) tries to push through Nebraska defenders Casey Rogers (98) and Will Honas (3), who are being blocked by Illinois's Kendrick Green (53) and Doug Kramer, in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Wan'Dale Robinson (1) pulls down a pass despite the coverage by Illinois' Nate Hobbs in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost talks to the offense as the Huskers take the field against Illinois on Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) knocks Illinois' Chase Brown out of bounds in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Wan'Dale Robinson (1) holds on to a pass under the defense of Illinois' Tony Adams (6) and Delano Ware (15) in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's JoJo Domann (13) drags down Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Chase Brown (2) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Nebraska in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Sydney Brown (30) knocks the ball free on pass coverage over Nebraska's Wan'Dale Robinson to teammate Jake Hansen (35) for an interception in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska takes the field against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Wan'Dale Robinson (1) runs through a hole in the Illinois defense in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Chase Brown (2) rushes in the third quarter against Nebraska's Will Honas on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska offensive line coach Greg Austin claps on the sideline in the first half against Illinois on Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Josh Imatorbhebhe (9) pulls in a touchdown pass in front of Nebraska's Dicaprio Bootle in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois' Chase Brown (2) stiff-arms Nebraska's JoJo Domann (13) during a first-half run Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) rushes between Illinois' Tarique Barnes (44) and Roderick Perry II (96) in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey splits two Illinois defenders on a run Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Connor Culp (33) kicks a second-quarter field goal against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Travis Vokolek (left) tries to pull in a pass with Illinois' Tony Adams (6) defending on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost heads off the field after the Huskers' loss to Illinois on Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Oliver Martin catches a punt in the second half against Illinois on Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost checks on the condition of Husker wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1), who went down momentarily after a fourth-quarter reception against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez looks for an open receiver in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska running backs coach Ryan Held (left) and head coach Scott Frost look for answers during a timeout in the second half against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.