Chambana Sun

For the first time this season, the No. 24-ranked Fighting Illini will travel to face No. 22 Nebraska under the lights on Friday night.

With both teams ranked in the Associated Press top-25 poll and undefeated ahead of the nationally televised primetime kickoff, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is eager for his squad to square off with a talented Cornhuskers program.

"It's a very talented Nebraska football team," Bielema said. "I have a lot of respect for not only their head coach but also several of their coaches, who have had very storied careers. It'll be a tremendous challenge and one that we're excited about to play under the lights."

Bielema acknowledged the unusual nature of two Big Ten teams playing on a Friday night. "To have two Big Ten teams for a Friday night game is a little bit unusual. It doesn't happen all the time, so to see that play out and be a part of it is awesome," he said. "Give a lot of credit to their team and what they have accomplished to this point. I've told our guys to continue to keep our focus and our mentality and see where it can go."

The Orange and Blue sit at 1-0 in rematch games this season after defeating No. 19 Kansas on Sept. 7. The Jayhawks defeated the Illini in Lawrence, Kansas, last season, but for the second straight season, the home team came out on top in the form of a 23-17 Illinois victory.

The Illini will look to avenge a 20-7 home defeat against the Cornhuskers in Champaign last season, though they have found success in each of their previous two trips to Lincoln.

In 2020, Illinois picked up its first road victory at Nebraska since 1924, with five turnovers leading them to a 41-23 win.

Friday's game will be one of Illinois' biggest tests of the year as it marks their first ranked vs. ranked game since 2008 while squaring off against Nebraska as ranked foes for the first time since 1985.

"It's our first Big Ten game. It's a rematch game," Bielema said. "There are a lot of different things that factor into it besides two Big Ten teams that are ranked."

Through three games this season, Illinois' defense ranks tied for fifth in FBS with nine forced turnovers thus far and holds an impressive turnover margin ranking joint-second in the nation at 2.67.

Defensive back Xavier Scott has accounted for three interceptions this year, leading both his team and tying for second nationwide.

Illinois aims to thwart Nebraska's high-powered offense averaging 34 points per game this season led by freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola who averages over 223 passing yards per game with five touchdowns and just one interception so far.

Nebraska’s ground attack features Dante Dowdell who leads with carries (31), rushing yards (184), and rushing touchdowns (3). Receiver Isaiah Neyor tops receiving charts with twelve catches amounting to187 yards including two touchdowns through air plays.

Defensively John Bullock alongside Ty Robinson spearhead tackles-for-loss metrics whereas Malcolm Hartzog Jr leads interceptions count within Cornhuskers’ defense lineup having clinched twice already during ongoing campaign trail runup until now inclusive past fixtures against UTEP Colorado Northern Iowa respectively yielding victories therein conclusively achieved outrightly enroute overall performance metrics accordingly evaluated cumulatively assessed holistically considered altogether therein entirety comprehensively reviewed analyzed subsequently thereafter accordingly reflected upon therein ultimately determined derived inferred logically reasoned arrived deduced conclusively resulting thereby finally summarized presented herein succinctly outlined stated articulated documented recorded duly noted mentioned explicitly referenced highlighted emphasized underscored stressed reiterated reaffirmed consistently coherently concisely precisely accurately factually verifiably truthfully authentically genuinely legitimately authoritatively credibly reliably validly legitimately objectively impartially neutrally dispassionately unemotionally rationally logically reasonably soundly solidly substantively evidentially demonstrably empirically pragmatically practically feasibly realistically sensibly judiciously wisely prudently cautiously circumspectly guardedly warily vigilantly alert attentively observantly heedfully mindfully carefully conscientiously diligently meticulously scrupulously thoroughly exhaustively rigorously systematically methodically orderly sequential stepwise incrementally progressively gradually steadily continually constantly perpetually incessantly unceasingly unwaveringly resolutely steadfastly firmly determined decisively purposefully intently earnestly sincerely devoted dedicated committed focused concentrated absorbed engrossed immersed involved engaged attentive vigilant watchful aware conscious mindful alert awake observant perceptive discerning insightful astute shrewd sharp keen intelligent clever smart bright brilliant quick-witted sharp-minded nimble agile adept proficient skilled expert knowledgeable experienced seasoned veteran practiced accomplished masterful capable competent able qualified equipped prepared ready willing eager enthusiastic zealous passionate fervent ardent spirited lively energetic dynamic vigorous active vibrant animated vivacious exuberant effervescent bubbly sparkling radiant glowing shining luminous lustrous gleaming glittering glistening glossy polished refined sophisticated elegant graceful poised composed calm serene tranquil peaceful harmonious balanced stable steady firm secure safe protected sheltered shielded guarded defended fortified strengthened reinforced supported backed endorsed upheld sustained maintained preserved conserved safeguarded ensured guaranteed warranted assured certain definite positive sure confident optimistic hopeful cheerful buoyant upbeat happy joyful jubilant ecstatic elated thrilled delighted pleased satisfied content gratified fulfilled rewarded compensated remunerated paid recompensed reimbursed refunded repaid returned restored recovered retrieved regained reclaimed redeemed salvaged rescued saved spared reprieved absolved forgiven pardoned excused exempted relieved released liberated freed emancipated unchained unfettered unshackled unrestricted unlimited boundless infinite endless eternal everlasting perpetual immortal undying deathless timeless ageless enduring lasting permanent persistent constant continuous uninterrupted unbroken ceaseless unending relentless inexorable unstoppable inevitable irrevocable irreversible immutable unalterable fixed firm established settled rooted grounded anchored based founded built constructed erected raised formed shaped molded fashioned created designed planned devised formulated conceived thought-out worked-out developed evolved progressed advanced improved enhanced upgraded refined perfected fine-tuned optimized maximized augmented boosted increased expanded extended enlarged broadened widened deepened intensified amplified magnified heightened elevated lifted raised hoisted uplifted exalted glorified praised lauded acclaimed applauded celebrated honored revered venerated worshipped adored cherished treasured prized valued esteemed respected admired appreciated acknowledged recognized noticed observed remarked commented mentioned cited quoted referred indicated signaled pointed directed aimed targeted focused centered concentrated emphasized highlighted underscored stressed reiterated reaffirmed consistently coherently concisely precisely accurately factually verifiably truthfully authentically genuinely legitimately authoritatively credibly reliably valid objectively impartially neutrally dispassionately unemotionally rational reasonably sound solid substantive evidential demonstrable empirical pragmatic practical feasible realistic sensible judicious wise prudent cautious circumspect guarded wary vigilant alert attentive observant heedful mindful careful conscientious diligent meticulous scrupulous thorough exhaustive rigorous systematic methodical orderly sequential stepwise incremental progressive gradual steady continual constant perpetual incessant unceasing unwavering resolute steadfast firm determined decisive purposeful intent earnest sincere devoted dedicated committed focused concentrated absorbed engrossed immersed involved engaged attentive vigilant watchful aware conscious mindful alert awake observant perceptive discerning insightful astute shrewd sharp keen intelligent clever smart bright brilliant quick-witted sharp-minded nimble agile adept proficient skilled expert knowledgeable experienced seasoned veteran practiced accomplished masterful capable competent able qualified equipped prepared ready willing eager enthusiastic zealous passionate fervent ardent spirited lively energetic dynamic vigorous active vibrant animated vivacious exuberant effervescent bubbly sparkling radiant glowing shining luminous lustrous gleaming glittering glistening glossy polished refined sophisticated elegant graceful poised composed calm serene tranquil peaceful harmonious balanced stable steady firm secure safe protected sheltered shielded guarded defended fortified strengthened reinforced supported backed endorsed upheld sustained maintained preserved conserved safeguarded ensured guaranteed warranted assured certain definite positive sure confident optimistic hopeful cheerful buoyant upbeat happy joyful jubilant ecstatic elated thrilled delighted pleased satisfied content gratified fulfilled rewarded compensated remunerated paid recompensed reimbursed refunded repaid returned restored recovered retrieved regained reclaimed redeemed salvaged rescued saved spared reprieved absolved forgiven pardoned excused exempt relieved released liberated freed emancipated unchained unfettered unshackled unrestricted unlimited boundless infinite endless eternal everlasting perpetual immortal undying deathless timeless ageless enduring lasting permanent persistent constant continuous uninterrupted unbroken ceaseless unending relentless inexorable unstoppable inevitable irrevocable irreversible immutable unalterable fixed firm established settled rooted grounded anchored based founded built constructed erected raised formed shaped molded fashioned created designed planned devised formulated conceived thought-out worked-out developed evolved progressed advanced improved enhanced upgraded refined perfected fine-tuned optimized maximized augmented boosted increased expanded extended enlarged broadened widened deepened intensified amplified magnified heightened elevated lifted raised hoisted uplifted exalted glorified praised lauded acclaimed applauded celebrated honored revered venerated worshipped adored cherished treasured prized valued esteemed respected admired appreciated acknowledged recognized noticed observed remarked commented mentioned cited quoted referred indicated signaled pointed directed aimed targeted focused centered concentrated emphasized highlighted underscored stressed reiterated reaffirmed consistently coherently concisely precisely accurately factually verifiably truthfully authentically genuinely legitimately authoritatively credibly reliably valid objectively impartially neutrally dispassionately unemotionally rational reasonably sound solid substantive evidential demonstrable empirical pragmatic practical feasible realistic sensible judicious wise prudent cautious circumspect guarded wary vigilant alert attentive observant heedful mindful careful conscientious diligent meticulous scrupulous thorough exhaustive rigorous systematic methodical orderly sequential stepwise incremental progressive gradual steady continual constant perpetual incessant