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Illinois Football: 3 takeaways from tough loss to Nebraska in Week 4

By Ryan Kay

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Ricky Smalling #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks to turn up field as Dicaprio Bootle #23 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks to make the stop during the second half at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Ricky Smalling #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks to turn up field as Dicaprio Bootle #23 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks to make the stop during the second half at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Illinois football looked to have Nebraska right where it wanted it, but the Illini were unable to hold on for a win. What’d we learn?

38. 807. Final. 42. 810

Some games have the feeling that the outcome can determine the direction of the season moving forward. The game between Illinois and Nebraska had that feeling and for both programs, it was a must-win.

The Fighting Illini, who lost the previous game at home against MAC foe Eastern Michigan, badly needed this win over the Cornhuskers. The Illinois defense came to play and they didn’t disappoint the home crowd.

After victories against Akron and UConn, Illinois looked to have momentum going into a home contest against a MAC team in Eastern Michigan who had beaten a Big Ten foe each of the previous two seasons. Unfortunately, the Fighting Illini would be the third straight Big Ten team to lose to the Eagles, going down on a last-second field goal.

Hope seemed to be lost but there were reasons for optimism heading into their game against Nebraska.

Unfortunately a 42-38 loss to the Cornhuskers changes the outlook of the 2019 season. What’d we learn from the Illini defeat?

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