By IlliniGuys Staff

September 20, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

LINCOLN, Neb. -Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer threw four touchdown passes, including a six-yard toss to Patrick Bryant on the second play in overtime as the 24th ranked Illini upset #22 Nebraska, 31-24.

The victory keeps the Illini unbeaten at 4-0 as they continue their best start since 2011, when they opened 6-0. It's just the second 4-0 start since 1951, the year of their last national championship.

The Big Ten-opening win over Nebraska (3-1, 0-1) is the Illini's second this season over a ranked opponent. They defeated then-19th ranked Kansas 23-17 on September 7th. It's the first time Illinois has posted two wins over ranked teams in September and they become the first team in the nation to do it this season.

Altmyer finished 21-of-27 for 215 yards. He now has 10 touchdown passes on the season with no interceptions while completing 71 percent of his passes.

Illinois opened the scoring on their first drive, with Altmyer and Bryant connecting on a 27-yard pass play to take a 7-0 lead.

But Nebraska responded with a 21-yard field goal from backup kicker John Hohl and then converted a Hank Beatty fumble into its first touchdown with true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola finding Isaiah Neyor in the back of the end zone for its first lead at 10-7.

David Olano's 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter tied the score, but the Cornhuskers would take a 17-10 lead into the locker room on another Raiola to Neyor connection with 16 seconds left until intermission.

The Illini rallied to tie the score again when Altmeyer connected with Tanner Arkin late in the third quarter, only to see Nebraska jump back on top on the first play of the fourth quarter when Raiola threw his third touchdown. this time on a one-yard flip to Janiran Bonner.

Illinois responded with Altmyer's six-yard scoring toss to tackle-eligible Brandon Henderson at the 10:36 mark to tie the game at 24.

Nebraska had a chance to take the lead late in the game, but Hohl missed a 39-yard field goal attempt with 2:59 left.

The Illinois defense was spectacular again, recording five sacks including three in overtime, with linebacker Dylan Rosiek taking down Raiola on fourth down to seal the win. Raiola finished 23-of-35 with 284 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Illinois has now won three straight in Lincoln for the first time in program history.

The Illini travel to State College to face 10th ranked Penn State next Saturday.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage.