
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.
Steven M. Sipple weighs in with his report card from the Huskers' loss to Illinois.
RUNNING GAME (C)
Wan'Dale Robinson's 32-yard run set up a third-quarter touchdown. But his lost fumble at the end of a 10-yard run late in the third was an absolute gut-punch blow to a Nebraska team that already was reeling. The Huskers leaned hard on quarterback Luke McCaffrey in the run game — too hard, actually — as he carried 24 times for 121 yards during the first three quarters, before Illinois had taken full control. Marvin Scott found some rhythm on NU's first scoring drive, with four carries for 20 yards. The Huskers averaged 4.9 per carry.
PASSING GAME (D)
McCaffrey got off to a rocky start with a terrible fumble call on the first play from scrimmage, but he admitted he made a bad decision on the play. He misfired on five of his first eight pass attempts and finished with three interceptions. Alante Brown had a drop on a pass that was a little high and wide. NU often had receivers running open that McCaffrey apparently just didn't see. He ended up 15-for-26 for 134 yards and no touchdowns.
AGAINST THE RUN (F)
Illinois gashed Nebraska to the tune of 51 yards on five carries on its nine-play, first-quarter TD drive to make it 14-7. NU appeared to have a bust on Chase Brown's 35-yard dash. In the second quarter, Mike Epstein raced 58 yards to set up a score. Illinois had two 100-yard rushers in Epstein (13 carries for 113) and Brown (26 for 110).
AGAINST THE PASS (F)
Senior quarterback Brandon Peters had all day in the pocket when he hit Josh Imatorbhebhe with a 28-yard TD strike in the second quarter. On the other hand, Nebraska linebacker Will Honas hammered Peters from the blind side for a sack late in the first half. Peters, though, came back strong. He gunned completions of 25 and 23 yards during a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown march that made it 38-17 late in the third quarter. He finished 18-for-25 for 205 yards and a TD, often making it look easy.
SPECIAL TEAMS (D)
Not sure what to say about Illinois punter Blake Hayes gaining 14 yards on a fourth-and-8 early in the second half. He looked up and saw only open field. You just don't see that very often. It was sort of embarrassing for the home team. Good to see the true freshman Brown finally get to return a kickoff. Not great that he made it to only the 17-yard line to start the game. He made it to the 29 on his second try. He cuts loose well. William Przystup boomed a 56-yard punt in the second quarter.
GAME MANAGEMENT (F)
Cameron Jurgens fired a snap high and wide on a fourth-and-2 at Illinois' 42 in the first quarter, leading to a broken play (and an interception). Jurgens' rough day continued when he was called for holding, nullifying Scott's 1-yard touchdown run. Casey Rogers' face-mask penalty let Illinois off the hook on a second-and-15 in the first quarter, and a holding penalty nullified a 30-plus yard punt return by Cam Taylor-Britt. NU finished with seven penalties for 66 yards.
PLAY-CALLING (D)
Without running back Dedrick Mills (out due to injury), and with McCaffrey struggling mightily in the passing game, Scott Frost didn't exactly have an overwhelming amount of options. McCaffrey running 19 times in the first half was a bad sign. As has been the case most of the season, Nebraska never really settled into any sort of rhythm.
OVERALL (F)
Frost said he was embarrassed by his team's level of execution in all three phases. Enough said.
Photos: Illinois trounces Nebraska at Memorial Stadium

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 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, 2020, 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 Nov. 21 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 in November 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 Nov. 21, 2020, 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.