Photos: Nebraska football opens season at Illinois
Check out The World-Herald's photo gallery from the Nebraska football season opener at Illinois.
Nebraska's Markese Stepp (30) walks off the field following the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Deontai Williams (8) watches the offense on the field in the final minute of the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Illinois' Deuce Spann (6) celebrates after getting to the 1-yard line in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) looks up at the scoreboard in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Cam Jurgens (51) plays center in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) leaps for a bad snap in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost walks off the field after they lost to Illinois 30-22 on Saturday.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez throws a first-quarter pass against Illinois on Saturday.
Nebraska's Nick Henrich tackles Illinois's Jakari Norwood on Saturday.
By the fourth quarter, this Nebraska fan was more interested in what was outside the stadium then what was happening against Illinois on Saturday.
Nebraska's Oliver Martin walks off the field after they lost to Illinois 30-22 on Saturday.
Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost talks to an official during a review in the first half against Illinois on Saturday.
Illinois's Keith Randolph Jr. chases down Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez as the referee throws a flag for hold on Nebraska's Brant Banks in the third quarter on Saturday.
Nebraska's Chris Hickman can't catch up to this Adrian Martinez pass as Illinois's Derrick Smith pursues in the third quarter on Saturday.
Nebraska's Samori Toure tries to run around Illinois's Tony Adams after making a fourth-quarter catch on Saturday.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez chase after a bad fourth quarter snap against Illinois on Saturday.
Nebraska's Wyatt Liewer can't catch up this overthrown pass in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Saturday.
Fans leave the Memorial Stadium after Nebraska loses at Illinois on Saturday.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) gets hit by Illinois' Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and fumbles the ball in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) gets hit by Illinois' Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and fumbles the ball in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Illinois' Blake Jeresaty (55) goes up against Nebraska's Ben Stille (95) in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) rushes in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Connor Culp (33) reacts after missing a second extra point attempt in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Illinois' Artur Sitkowski (9) looks to pass the ball in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez slips out of an Illinois player's fingertips in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Zavier Betts (15) and Alante Brown (4) sit on the sideline in the final minutes of the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) gets tangled up with Illinois' Garrett Nelson (44) iin the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) rushes in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) grabs the ball from center Cam Jurgens (51) in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema smiles following the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
The Illinois marching band performs in the second half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Illinois celebrates and faces the student section following the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) talks following the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost talks following the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
Nebraska's Markese Stepp runs in a second quarter touchdown to put Nebraska on the board against Illinois on Saturday.
Illinois's Eddie Smith, left runs with Calvin Hart Jr. as he runs back a fumble from Nebraska's Adrian Martinez for a second-quarter touchdown on Saturday.
Illinois's Devon Witherspoon celebrates quarterback hurry from Nebraska's Adrian Martinez that resulted in a second-quarter incomplete pass to Austin Allen on Saturday.
Nebraska's Samori Toure rushes with the ball in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches his team in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Connor Culp (33) reacts after missing an extra point in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Illinois' Brandon Peters (18) looks for the play to develop in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Illinois' Brandon Peters (18) is injured in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Ty Robinson (99) and Caleb Tannor (2) both reach out for Illinois' Artur Sitkowski (9) in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost looks up at the scoreboard in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Markese Stepp (30) stretches out with the ball in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) is surrounded by the Illinois defense in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) eyes Illinois' Eddie Smith (8) in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Illinois' Jakari Norwood (3) rushes in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Nick Henrich knocks Illinois's Jakari Norwood out of bounds at the one yard line in the second quarter on Saturday.
Illinois's Mike Epstein scores on a one-yard run in the second quarter against Nebraska on Saturday.
Nebraska's Pheldarius Payne celebrates a first quarter sack of Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters on Saturday.
Nebraska's Connor Culp misses a second quarter PAT against Illinois on Saturday. William Przystup was holding.
Nebraska's Connor Culp reacts to missing a second quarter PAT against Illinois on Saturday. William Przystup was holding.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) passes the ball on the first drive of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Wyatt Liewer (2) is pushed out of bounds by Illinois' Tony Adams (6) on the first drive of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Samori Toure makes a catch near the sideline out of reach of Illinois' Kerby Joseph (25) on the first drive of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez] (2) warms up before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
The Nebraska cheer team waves a Husker flag before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and Nebraska head coach Scott Frost chat before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Damian Jackson (38) points tot he crowd before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
A Husker fan watches the team warm up before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Illinois' Kerby Joseph (25) warms up with his team before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Pheldarius Payne (0) stands on the field before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) runs on the field before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) dances on the field before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Brian Deighton, of Lincoln, sprinkles cheese on an egg and sausage burrito mix with friend Nate Gotschall, of Lincoln, holding the tray as they tailgate before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
A pickup decked out in Husker gear drives past an Illinois fan before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
The parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium fills up hours before Nebraska plays at Illinois on Saturday.
People tailgate in parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium hours before Nebraska plays at Illinois on Saturday.
Nebraska and Illinois flags fly above the RV of John Dauber, of Firth, Neb., while tailgating before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Dauber says he usually gets a more friendly reaction from the opposing team's fans if he flies their flag as well.
John Dauber, of Firth, wears a Husker jacket with score predictions written on the side of his RV tailgate before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Ted and Beth Jurgens, Husker center Cam Jurgens' parents, tailgate before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday, August 28, 2021.
Thomas Prinz, 9, of Omaha, takes a bite out of a football-shaped doughnut while tailgating before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
From left, Doug Bartek, of Wahoo, Scott Etheridge, of Omaha, Daryle Zybert, of Fishers, Ind., Chris Osborne, of Fishers, Ind., and Mark Mann, of Papillion, wave to another Husker fan while tailgating before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Brothers, from left, Mike, Tom and Dan Macholan, their friend Randy Petersen and Joel Macholan, Dan's son, tailgate before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game outside Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) yells as he comes on the field before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Nebraska's Teddy Prochazka (65) warms up before the start of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
Anna Reed
Photojournalist
Chris Machian
Chris is a photographer and videographer for The World-Herald.
Nebraska football season is back, so join us for live coverage of the Huskers' season opener against Illinois, with kickoff set for 12:20 p.m.
As we gear up for Husker kickoff, here's a look at Nebraska's 74-man travel roster and the notable players who didn't make the trip to Illinois.
Nebraska opened its season with a 30-22 loss to Illinois, and the Huskers start 0-1 for the third time in four seasons under Scott Frost.
We’re now many sequels deep into the Scott Frost cinematic universe, and this era of Nebraska football has a familiar plot. But in losing to Illinois, Frost agreed the formula is getting dated.
The World-Herald's Sam McKewon hands out his grades for the Huskers' performance in several areas during the season-opening loss to Illinois.
Fewer than 11 minutes into a new season Nebraska special teams had issued the first of many rude reminders that reports of its offseason ascension were premature at best.
The scary part of Nebraska’s loss to Illinois is NOT what it means to Scott Frost’s long-term status as head coach, writes Dirk Chatelain. The scary part is that if Frost fails, what’s left to try?
This was the season opener for Scott Frost to rewrite the narrative that he isn't up to the task of transforming Nebraska football. A loss to Illinois may have engraved it. Get more from Tom Shatel.
Some sloppy play late in the first half by the Huskers, including a fumble by Adrian Martinez returned for a touchdown, has Illinois leading at the break.
One of the things I expected when Nebraska faced Illinois was to meet the running backs. That really never happened, writes Tom Shatel.
Bret Bielema, known for his bluntness, minced no words after Illinois' 30-22 win over Nebraska. “The only guy that really could beat us, we thought, was 2,” Bielema said, referring to Adrian Martinez.
In Nebraska's loss to Illinois, the Huskers struggled to do the little things that define winning teams. Here are the hidden yards won or lost that impacted the season opener.
A bad guess and a growing deficit prevented Nebraska running backs from showing what they could do in their much-anticipated debut at Illinois.
As fans returned to watch Husker football for the first time since 2019, one in particular stood out for his size and passion — Mick Stoltenberg, an ex-team captain adjusting to life in the bleachers.
On Saturday's episode, Adam Carriker gives his quick take on the Huskers' 30-22 loss to Illinois.
Scott Frost acknowledged that the first game of 2021 — a 30-22 loss to Illinois — looked so much like the losses of three previous seasons. “It looked like the same movie today,” Frost said.
The Huskers are likely to defeat their next two opponents comfortably. Neither win will quell fan concerns or influence the national conversation surrounding NU, but they could help build good habits.
Instead of music playing at practice, Husker coaches decided it was more important for players to hear their instruction. “It was a practice to correct mistakes from Saturday. I believe we did that.”
There's concern about Nebraska's sellout streak possibly ending this week. But the Huskers have a message for fans who may be on the fence about attending: "We need you there.”
Tom Shatel has some thoughts on the strangeness of this particular Husker football home opener, plus a true test of Nebraska's mental toughness and a heartwarming story about Adrian Martinez.
What Adrian Martinez saw on the field during Nebraska's loss to Illinois looked the same as what he saw on film — five times — the following day. "I’ve got to improve, simple as that."
Our latest batch of Husker football notes from Monday's interviews takes a closer look at the offensive line's performance, memorable first starts for Quinton Newsome and Matt Sichterman, and a lot more.
Adam Carriker has heard all of the criticisms of Scott Frost, but on Tuesday's episode of the Carriker Chronicles, he says the rest of this season will determine Frost's future with the Huskers.
All of Nebraska's optimism from the offseason failed to meet reality in the season opener against Illinois. Some Huskers are still confused and shocked, but they're promising to keep pushing forward.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said the Huskers "played a good football game" on that side of the ball, but "we need to continue to demand excellence out of this group."
All things considered, Nebraska tight ends coach Sean Beckton said he is encouraged by the debut of his position group against Illinois.
Adam Carriker is joined by Nebraska outside linebacker Pheldarius Payne to discuss his breakout game against Illinois, how it felt to throw the bones, playing for Erik Chinander and more.
With every Big Ten team in action this week, Sam McKewon has updated his conference power rankings. Where do the Huskers now stand after the loss to Illinois?
On Thursday's episode, Adam Carriker looks at five players that Nebraska needs more production from on offense.
Husker coaches kept their receiver rotation tight against Illinois, benching players who had been praised in training camp. Why? "Consistency has to matter."
Check out Sam McKewon's three keys to Nebraska's home opener, as well as our preview coverage leading up to kickoff.
Nebraska’s home opener Saturday is an opportunity to iron out some mistakes and spread game reps throughout the roster, coach Scott Frost said Thursday.
Adam Carriker doesn't dodge the tough questions. On Friday's episode, Adam examines how Adrian Martinez played against Illinois and whether Nebraska should consider giving another QB an opportunity.