Official down: Another ref gets leveled during Nebraska-Illinois game
An official is down for the second time in this season-opener between Nebraska and Illinois.
After one ref went down in the first half, another was taken out by an Illinois linebacker who was trying to defend a crossing route.
Here’s the play:
The ref walked away after taking a tough hit on this play pic.twitter.com/zo3GAaZfyG
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 28, 2021
Thankfully the official turned out to be OK. He was able to walk away under his own power.
Illinois currently holds a 30-16 lead over Nebraska early in the fourth quarter. The Huskers have been trailing since the final moments of the first half when the Illini picked up an Adrian Martinez fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
Illinois then scored on its opening two drives of the second half to take a 30-9 advantage. Martinez then responded with a 75-yard touchdown run to bring the Huskers back within range.
Nebraska is trying to avenge a 41-23 loss to Illinois from a year ago. This is the first game of the Bret Bielema era for the Illini.