Strategy And Personnel


GAME BREAKDOWN

KEY MATCHUP: Illinois has one of the most vulnerable secondaries in all of college football. The Illini — despite 13 interceptions this season — rank No. 121 in the FBS in passing yards allowed per game, giving up an average of 284.4. As for Nebraska, Adrian Martinez and company are No. 46 in passing, tallying 252.3 yards per game. Expect the freshman to be slinging the ball around the field on Saturday.

DRAFT SLANT

–WR Stanley Morgan Jr., a senior, has come alive down the stretch of the season, leading Nebraska in receiving in each of the last three games and seemingly surpassing J.D. Spielman as Adrian Martinez’s favorite target. Against Ohio State, Morgan had seven catches for 87 yards.

ROSTER REPORT:

–DL Deontre Thomas is questionable with a hand injury.

–DL DaiShon Neal is out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury.

–RB Maurice Washington, who left last week’s game with an injury, is available against Illinois.

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