The Nebraska-Illinois game got off to a rough start offensively, as it resembled more of a rock fight than a well-oiled offensive showcase.

But late in the first quarter, it got worse, at least for the Cornhuskers. Nebraska surrendered a safety on an illegal forward pass during a punt return.

Illinois punter Brendan Franke launched a 55-yard punt which landed near the Nebraska end zone where Cam Taylor-Britt tried to return it, but instead threw a pass out of the end zone, which resulted in a loss of down and a safety.

For a program under Scott Frost trying to get off the hot seat and return to its storied history of success, Nebraska struggled out of the gate on the road. The Cornhuskers had just 2 first downs and 41 total yards by that turnover.