Highlights
YOUTUBEWin probability
EVERY PLAY · ESPN MODELKICKOFF: NEB 66% · BIGGEST SINGLE-PLAY SWING: 25 PTS
Scoring plays
9 SCORES
Team Safety
0-2
Markese Stepp 2 Yd Run (Connor Culp PAT failed)
6-2
Connor Culp 27 Yd Field Goal
9-2
Mike Epstein 1 Yd Run (James McCourt Kick)
9-9
Calvin Hart Jr. 41 Yd Fumble Return (James McCourt Kick)
9-16
Luke Ford 2 Yd pass from Artur Sitkowski (James McCourt Kick)
9-23
Isaiah Williams 1 Yd pass from Artur Sitkowski (James McCourt Kick)
9-30
Adrian Martinez 75 Yd Run (Connor Culp Kick)
16-30
Oliver Martin 4 Yd pass from Adrian Martinez (Connor Culp PAT failed)
22-30
What happened
ESPN RECAPIllinois fends off Nebraska in 30-22 season-opening win
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- , 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. The Big Ten conference win didn’t come without a price for the Illini. Illinois starting quarterback Brandon Peters left the game holding his left (non-throwing) shoulder after being sacked hard near the end of the first quarter. He was 3-of-4 passing for 35 yards. He did not return and was replaced by Artur Sitkowski , a sophomore transfer from Rutgers. Peters’ status wasn’t clear following Saturday’s game. “No injury updates yet,” first-year Illinois coach Bret Bielema said.
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Team stats
NEB · ILLGIES MEMORIAL STADIUM, CHAMPAIGN · ATTENDANCE 41,064
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