Report Card: Nebraska 31, Illinois 16

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal StarNebraska's running backs had to work hard for their yards against Illinois' stout front four. You figured the Huskers' banged-up offensive line might struggle, and it did. But behind Terrell Newby's tough running, the run game came alive in the fourth quarter, piling up 114 yards in the period after gaining only 89 through three quarters.

PASSING GAME (B)

Brandon Reilly dropped a pass on a slant route that likely would've resulted in a first-quarter touchdown, and Tommy Armstrong's second-quarter interception led to an Illinois field goal. Meanwhile, with defensive ends charging upfield, NU got the screen game working well a few times. Armstrong generally made…