CHAMPAIGN - Illinois lost to Nebraska, 28-6 Friday night at Memorial Stadium.
Chase McLaughlin connected on two field goals - both from 25 yards out - to account for all of the Illini points.
Home. #ILLINI
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TEAM NOTES
• Illinois started eight true freshmen (DB Nate Hobbs, S Bennett Williams, DE Bobby Roundtree, DT Jamal Woods, RB Mike Epstein, WR Ricky Smalling, OL Alex Palczewski, OL Larry Boyd).Â
• Illinois' eight true freshmen starters are the second-most in a game in program history. The record of 10 was set at South Florida in Illinois' last game.
• Illinois' most cumulative true freshmen starts in a season: 34 (1977), 33 (2006), 28 (2017)
• Illinois' 11 true freshen starters used this season is a program record. The previous high for a season was nine in 1980.Â
• Illinois' 11 true freshmen starters are the most in the nation this season.
• Illinois started two true freshmen on the offensive line (T Larry Boyd, G Alex Palczewski) for the third straight game (only three times in program history).
• Illinois started two true freshmen on the defensive line (DT Jamal Woods, DE Bobby Roundtree) for the third straight game (only three times in program history).
• Illinois has used 19 first-time starters in 2017, tied with UAB for the second-most in the nation behind Baylor (21).
• Nebraska lost a fumble for the first time this season during the third quarter after DB Patrick Nelson forced a fumble that DB Stanley Green recovered.
• Nebraska had a season-high four fumbles. It tied Illinois' season-high for forced fumbles (4, Western Kentucky)
• Illinois captains: OL Nick Allegretti, K Chase McLaughlin, LB Tré Watson
INDIVIDUALÂ NOTES
• Freshman DT Jamal Woods, senior DE James Crawford, junior TE Henry McGrew started for the first time this season. It was McGrew's and Woods' first career starts.
• Junior WR Mike Dudek has at least two catches in all 17 games he has played. He had two catches for a team-high 37 yards.
• Senior WR Malik Turner has caught a pass in 24 straight games, which is among the top 20 longest active streaks in the nation.Â
• Sophomore WR Trenard Davis completed a pass, the first of his career. He spent time as a quarterback last season.
• Freshman WR Carmoni Green played for the first time this season and had a catch for 18 yards.
• Sophomore TE Bobby Walker had his first career reception.
• Senior DE James Crawford returned from suspension and had five tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, a forced fumble and a QB hurry.
• Sophomore DB Patrick Nelson had his second career forced fumble, and second this season, in the third quarter. He led Illinois with 10 tackles, his season high.
• Sophomore DB Stanley Green had his second career fumble recovery, and first this season, in the third quarter.
• Sophomore DB Cameron Watkins had his first career forced fumble on a punt in the fourth quarter.
• Freshman DB Bennett Williams was ejected for targeting in the first quarter.
• Junior WR Mike Dudek has at least two catches in all 17 games he has played.
