Illinois fends off Nebraska in 30-22 season-opening win
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, left, congratulates Illinois head coach Bret Bielema after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. Illinois won 30-22. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, left, congratulates Illinois head coach Bret Bielema after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. Illinois won 30-22. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aug. 28, 2021 05:10 PM EDT
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema celebrates the team's 30-22 win over Nebraska after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema celebrates the team's 30-22 win over Nebraska after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aug. 28, 2021 05:09 PM EDT
Nebraska cornerback Quinton Newsome tackles Illinois running back Mike Epstein during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Nebraska cornerback Quinton Newsome tackles Illinois running back Mike Epstein during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aug. 28, 2021 03:04 PM EDT
Fans return to Memorial Stadium during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Illinois and Nebraska Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Fans headed back into stadiums this weekend and, along with binoculars, sunscreen and other essentials, many will be packing face masks. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Fans return to Memorial Stadium during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Illinois and Nebraska Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Fans headed back into stadiums this weekend and, along with binoculars, sunscreen and other essentials, many will be packing face masks. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aug. 28, 2021 03:17 PM EDT
Illinois quarterback Artur Sitkowski celebrates the team's 30-22 win over Nebraska after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Illinois quarterback Artur Sitkowski celebrates the team's 30-22 win over Nebraska after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aug. 28, 2021 05:08 PM EDT
Illinois running back Mike Epstein carries the balls and is tackled by Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Illinois running back Mike Epstein carries the balls and is tackled by Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aug. 28, 2021 03:23 PM EDT
Illinois running back Mike Epstein celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Nebraska Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Illinois running back Mike Epstein celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Nebraska Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aug. 28, 2021 03:03 PM EDT
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost looks down the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Illinois Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost looks down the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Illinois Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aug. 28, 2021 03:02 PM EDT
Fans return to Memorial Stadium during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Illinois and Nebraska Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Fans headed back into stadiums this weekend and, along with binoculars, sunscreen and other essentials, many will be packing face masks. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Fans return to Memorial Stadium during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Illinois and Nebraska Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Fans headed back into stadiums this weekend and, along with binoculars, sunscreen and other essentials, many will be packing face masks. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aug. 28, 2021 03:17 PM EDT