Maybe the rockiest stretch of Nebraska’s 54-35 win over Illinois for Adrian Martinez in the passing game came late in the second quarter.
The Huskers got the ball back with 52 seconds left at their own 40 but couldn’t do anything with it. Martinez had a screen for Stanley Morgan batted down by UI defensive end Bobby Roundtree and then missed JD Spielman and before getting sacked by the talented Roundtree, who roughed up sophomore tackle Brenden Jaimes and then Martinez.
NU got a gift when Jordan Holmes muffed Isaac Armstrong’s punt, but Martinez made a dangerous high throw to the flat for Spielman that lost 5 yards, then airmailed a ball down the sideline for Devine Ozigbo.