WR Dixon Breaks Record as Illinois Clinches Bowl Game vs. Nebraska

The Illinois Fighting Illini are heading to a bowl game for a third consecutive year, and for the fourth time in six seasons under Bret Bielema.

Just four weeks ago, the season seemed all but lost. Illinois was 2-3 after parting ways with defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck. Starting quarterback Katin Houser appeared to be out for most of the rest of the season after breaking his hand in the third quarter against Michigan State. But four wins in a row and a superhuman injury recovery from Houser later, the Fighting Illini are bowl-eligible.

Illinois defeated Nebraska on Friday night, 24-13, to advance to 6-3 (4-2 B1G) on the season. The Cornhuskers dropped their fourth consecutive game since starting 5-0 to fall to 5-4 (2-4 B1G).

Houser completed 22 of his 36 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those scores were to senior wide receiver Collin Dixon, who broke the program's single-season record with his 11th and 12th receiving touchdowns of the season. Dixon finished with eight catches for 129 yards.

Both offenses stalled out early, trading punts on the opening drives. Penalties backed the Cornhuskers up and resulted in a wide-right 45-yard missed field goal by new Nebraska kicker John Hohl.

The Illini then had their own mistake-laden drive. An aborted snap from center Jake Renfro led to Illinois getting into a second-and-22 scenario. A few plays later, Renfro was called for a 15-yard tripping penalty, which took the Illini out of field goal range. Houser was sacked on third down to force a punt.

Illinois' special teams unit downed the ensuing punt at the 2-yard line, but Nebraska's offense finally found a rhythm. The Cornhuskers marched 98 yards on a 10-play drive that took just over four minutes and found the end zone. Mekhi Nelson took a jet sweep 15 yards for a touchdown to get his team on the board.

In the final minutes of the first half, Dixon made history. The wideout dove over the goal line to score a 3-yard touchdown, marking his 11th receiving touchdown of the season. Dixon's efforts broke Pat Bryant's single-season program record in only nine games.

Nebraska appeared primed to take the lead going into the break, but Hohl missed his second kick of the day, this time from 54 yards out. The score remained deadlocked at seven entering halftime.

Bielema reached into his bag of tricks to start the third quarter. Kicker Ethan Moczulski lined up to attempt a 50-yard field goal on fourth-and-12, but starting punter Lars Rao ended up picking up the hold and scampering around the left side of the line. Rao took the ball 29 yards before being wrapped up at the 3-yard line. Houser capped off the 13-play drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Jordan Anderson.

The Illini defense then came up big, forcing a turnover on downs from their own 25-yard line. Houser and Dixon capitalized, linking up for their second touchdown of the day on the following possession.

Nebraska didn't give up, though. Huskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea was knocked down as he delivered a deep ball, sending a pass into tight coverage. Jacory Barney Jr. hauled in the catch between two Illini and his own teammate, then stayed on his feet to finish off the 51-yard touchdown. Nebraska did not convert on the two-point conversion, keeping the deficit at 21-13.

The Cornhuskers forced Illinois to third down and a likely punt, but Houser and Dixon connected yet again. His deep pass found Dixon down the sideline, and after 58 yards, Dixon was brought down by his facemask. Although the Illini couldn't punch it in from the 3-yard line, Moczulski's short field goal made it a two-score game.

Illinois will head to California next Friday to face No. 8 UCLA, which is currently one of three undefeated FBS teams.