Entering Saturday: Adrian Martinez was Nebraska’s leading rusher last year, and its best option, but to keep him healthy, Scott Frost wanted to be cautious with his running workload this year.
Saturday: Much like last year, Martinez was the Huskers’ leading rusher. He had 14 totes for 62 yards by the early part of the fourth quarter, though NU had to abandon the run by the second half. Much of Martinez’s running came on designed pass plays, including a career-long 75-yard touchdown in which the senior tucked the ball and took off when he saw a gaping hole to his left. Not counting sacks, Martinez ran the ball 12 times, while NU’s running backs combined for 19.
Third-down defense
Entering Saturday: Illinois was a staggering 11-for-17 on third downs in whipping on the Huskers last year in Lincoln. NU’s third-down defense improved greatly after that contest, and on a hot afternoon, it became even more key for the NU defense to get off the field.
Saturday: Illinois was 6-for-11 on third downs by the early part of the fourth quarter, including 3-for-4 in the the third. A deflating conversion came when Illinois converting a third-and-3 at about the 11-minute mark of the fourth quarter with NU trailing 30-16.
Photos: Nebraska falls to Illinois in season opener
Nebraska defenders pounce on a fumbled ball by Illinois’ Miles Scott (85) in the second quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) can only watch as his fumble is returned for an Illinois touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Wynot native Scott Foxhoven, currently studying for his Ph.D at Illinois, plays cornhole Saturday outside Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Les and Leisa Piper, parents of Nebraska offensive lineman Ethan Piper, joined their twin daughters Elly and Jozy in the shade as they waited for the team buses outside Memorial Stadium on Saturday in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska offensive line mothers (from left to right) Judy Sichterman, mother of Matt; Micki Hixson, mother of Trent; Leisa Piper, mother of Ethan and Shannon Corcoran, mother of Turner, pose for a photo as they wait for the team buses to arrive outside Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Brandon Sanford, father of Nebraska cornerback Phelan Sanford, waits for the team buses to arrive outside Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Brothers Charlie (right) and Brook Beck of Papillion join with other Husker fans as they greet the arrival of the team outside Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska fan JohnPaul Gosda, 2, of Champaign, Ill., watches as the adults play cornhole outside Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running back Markese Stepp (30) pulls in a first-down pass in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska wide receiver Oliver Martin (89) pulls in a first-down pass against Illinois’ evon Witherspoon in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska running back Markese Stepp (30) pulls in a first-down pass in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska running back Markese Stepp (30) celebrates his second-quarter touchdown with teammate Samori Toure (3) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Deontai Williams (8) celebrates a two-yard tackle for a loss with teammate Garrett Nelson (44) in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska running back Markese Stepp (30), who scored a first-half touchdown, walks off the field after Illinois defeated the Huskers 30-22 Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and Illinois head coach Bret Bielema shake hands after the Illini defeated the Huskers 30-22 Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost walks on the field as the Illinois player celebrate their 30-22 win over the Huskers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska receiver Oliver Martin pulls in a 4-yard touchdown pass against Illinois in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (left) reacts after missing an extra-point in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez looks to throw under pressure from Illinois’ Jake Hansen in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Illinois’ Isaiah Williams (1) celebrates what turned out to be his game-winning touchdown against Nebraska in the third quarter as teammates Luke Ford (82) and Daniel Barker look on along with Huskers’ Garrett Nelson on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 30-22.
Illinois’ Deuce Spann pulls in a 45-yard reception in front of Nebraska’s Marquel Dismuke in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Illinois quarterback Artur Sitkowski (9) is helped up by teammate Doug Kramer (65) after a penalty call on Nebraska’s Caleb Tannor in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Illinois quarterback Artur Sitkowski gets pressured by Nebraska’s Caleb Tannor on a first-half play that resulted in a penalty on Tannor on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez looks for an open teammate to throw to before taking off on a 75-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Illinois’ Isaiah Williams (1) celebrates what turned out to be his game-winning touchdown against Nebraska in the third quarter with teammates Alex Pihlstrom (75), Luke Ford (82) and Doug Kramer (65) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez scrambles for yardage in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
Reach Clark Grell at 402-473-2639 or cgrell@journalstar.com. On Twitter at @LJSSportsGrell.
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