Grades are in: Illinois passes with flying colors in AP Top 25 win

To subscribe, click here.

To submit a letter to the editor, click here.

Want to purchase todays print edition? Heres a map of single-copy locations.

Sign up for our daily newsletter here Player of the game Rosiek put the exclamation point on the Illinis overtime win against Nebraska by chasing down Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola.

Nebraska was already facing fourth-and-forever.

Rosiek made sure the Huskers had no hope with a game-finishing sack.

It was just one of several plays the veteran Illinois linebacker made in helping the Illini pull off the upset in Lincoln, Neb.

And it was an upset.

Nebraska was ranked higher and was the betting favorite.

Rosieks nine tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss an one forced fumble led the way for an Illinois defense that made plays when it needed to for a big-time road win.

Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down No.

24 Illinois' 31-24 overtime road win against No.

22 Nebraska Offense Luke Altmyer has firmly established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten, with his performance Friday night against the Cornhuskers further cementing that status.

Altmeyer completed 21 of 27 passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns.

Add in a late surge from the run game, and Illinois at least approached the kind of balance offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.

wanted.

Raiolas star wasnt diminished in his first loss as Nebraskas starter, but he did finally look like a freshman late in the second half and certainly in overtime.

Defense Putting more pressure on Raiola making him uncomfortable in the pocket was where the Illini truly won this game.

Letting the five-star freshman operate with impunity wasnt working.

The Patrick Mahomes comparisons are seriously overblown, but Raiola has some How did he do that? ability.

A little more pass rush and some corresponding big plays in the secondary (two big pass breakups from Xavier Scott) were a difference maker in the second half.

Special teams The Cornhuskers had a chance to take the lead late in regulation, but John Hohl missed his 39-yard field goal attempt.

A tough spot for Nebraskas backup kicker, but a crippling miss all the same.

Add in some real issues simply covering kicks and punts, and the Huskers special teams effort were a struggle.

Illinois David Olano, meanwhile, made his only field goal, Hugh Robertson had two punts downed inside the 20 and Kenari Wilcher and Hank Beatty both broke big returns.

Coaching Fridays win showed just how confident both Illinois coordinators are at this stage of the season.

Defensive coordinator Aaron Henrys second-half adjustments didnt just bother Raiola.

They also slowed down Nebraskas run game.

And offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.

called a pass play to offensive lineman (and temporary tight end) Brandon Henderson on fourth down with Illinois trailing by a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

That epitomizes confidence.

Especially when Henderson hauls in the touchdown pass.

Overall Illinois hit rarified program air by knocking off Nebraska in matchup of AP Top 25 teams.

Fridays win was the Illinis second against a ranked team this season in their 4-0 start.

No other Illinois team has accomplished that feat.

There were a lot of positive feelings emanating out of Lincoln.

For good reason.

Illinois played its most complete game of the season by far and did so in a matchup that had the college football worlds attention.

Maybe Friday night games arent such a bad thing after all..

This article has been shared from the original article on newsgazette, here is the link to the original article.