Illini Beat Nebraska 24-13 for Bowl Spot

Nebraska football dropped its fourth consecutive contest on November 6, 2026, falling 24-13 to Illinois at Gies Memorial Stadium under the lights in Champaign, Illinois. The defeat dropped the Cornhuskers to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten play, while the Fighting Illini improved to 6-3 and 4-2 to secure bowl eligibility.

Houser and Dixon Power Illinois Attack

Illinois quarterback Katin Houser completed 22 of 36 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Collin Dixon hauled in eight passes for 129 yards and two scores, breaking the program’s all-time single-season receiving touchdown record with 12 touchdowns on the year. Dixon secured a 3-yard touchdown pass late in the first half to tie the game 7-7, then added a 6-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter to push the Illini lead to 21-7.

Illinois has won five of its last six matchups against Nebraska since 2020. Illinois is 26-3 when scoring the final points of the first half and the opening points of the second half during Bret Bielema’s six seasons (only losses: 2021 Purdue, 2023 Iowa, 2025 Ohio State). Hudson Clement added five receptions for 87 yards, and Aidan Laughery contributed 92 yards from scrimmage, clinching bowl eligibility for a third straight season.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema praised Dixon’s performance and approach after the game.

Collin has his own individual personality. I think Collin would be the first to tell you that part of what he’s accomplished is because he watched Pat Bryant do it.

Bret Bielema, Illinois head coach

Holding the record is awesome. I’ve been incredibly lucky to see receivers like Pat and working under a great staff.

Collin Dixon, Illinois wide receiver

Special Teams Cost Nebraska in Defeat

Nebraska opened the scoring in the second quarter when Mekhi Nelson rushed 15 yards for a touchdown following a 98-yard drive.

Facing fourth-and-12 from the Nebraska 32-yard line, Illinois punter and holder Lars Rau executed a fake field goal, rushing 29 yards to set up a 5-yard touchdown pass from Houser to Jordan Anderson. Rau explained the execution of the play to ESPN.

It worked because everyone did their part.

Lars Rau, Illinois punter and holder

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule noted that his defensive unit was prepared for the fake.

They called something aggressive, executed it, and made the play.

Matt Rhule, Nebraska head coach

Penalties accumulated as Nebraska finished with 11 infractions for 82 yards. Anthony Colandrea threw for 284 yards on 32-for-43 passing with one touchdown, connecting with Jacory Barney Jr. for a 51-yard score in the fourth quarter. Barney totaled six receptions for 93 yards, while Jamal Rule carried 15 times for 69 yards.

Nebraska Visits Rutgers Next

I know everyone is frustrated, but when you look at the game, it was a good one for a long time. We just needed to make a couple more plays.

Matt Rhule, Nebraska head coach

Nebraska travels to face Rutgers on November 14, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CT on the Big Ten Network and the Huskers Radio Network. Illinois visits No. 5 UCLA on November 13, leaving open whether the Illini can sustain their momentum away from home.