Nebraska Beat Illinois, Panthers Down EKU

LINCOLN, NE (SportsNetwork.com) -- Behind a career-high 225 rushing yards from Ameer Abdullah, the Nebraska Cornhuskers earned a 39-19 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini in each team's Big Ten Conference opener at Memorial Stadium.

Abdullah also scored two touchdowns and has now rushed for at least 100 yards in  four of five  games this season for Nebraska (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten), which has won  back-to-back games. Tommy Armstrong, Jr. filled in for an injured Taylor Martinez under center, completing  8-of-13 passes for 135 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Quincy Enunwa (80 yards) and Kenny Bell (65 yards) each had four receptions and a touchdown.

For Illinois (3-2, 0-1), Josh Ferguson rushed for a career-high 114 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Nathan Scheelhaase disappointed by completing 13-of-26 passes for 135 yards with an interception. He was replaced late by Reilly O'Toole, who  was 3-of-5 for 42 yards. Ferguson also led all receivers with eight catches and 82 yards.

Nebraska got the scoring started early when Abdullah rushed in a two-yard touchdown less than four minutes into the game. Armstrong, Jr. added a four-yard touchdown pass to Enunwa later in the first quarter to put the Cornhuskers up 14-0.

The Cornhuskers padded their lead early in the second quarter when Pat Smith connected on a 27-yard field goal. Illinois put its first points on the board a few minutes later when Taylor Zalewski knocked through a 38-yard field goal.

Imani Cross rushed in a two-yard touchdown for Nebraska at the 4:18 mark of the second quarter. Following a failed extra point attempt, the score remained 23-3 in favor of the Cornhuskers.

After pinning Nebraska deep in their own territory late in the first half, the Illini made the score 23-5 after Houston Bates tackled Cross in the end zone for a safety.

Any momentum Illinois may have gained at the end of the half was squashed early in the third quarter after the Cornhuskers scored on a 43-yard touchdown rush by Abdullah.

The Illini scored their first touchdown of the game with 5:54 left in the third when Donovonn Young plunged into the end zone from one yard out.

Armstrong, Jr. tossed his second touchdown pass of the day at the 2:44 mark of the third quarter when he hooked up with Bell on a 37-yard strike, although the Cornhuskers had yet another failed PAT.

In the fourth quarter, Pat Smith added a 32-yard field goal for Nebraska. With the game out of reach in the final minute, Illinois put up one last score on a one-yard touchdown rush by Ferguson.

Panthers Defeat EKU, Remain Undefeated in OVC Play

CHARLESTON -- Junior forward Meagan Radloff scored her second game-winning goal in as many matches, helping the Panther women’s soccer team post a 1-0 shutout over Eastern Kentucky on Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field. EIU moves to 4-0 in Ohio Valley Conference action, the team’s best start to conference play since 2000.

In the 88th minute, Radloff found the back of the net from 10 yards out off a rebounded shot from teammate Madison Carter that was saved by the Eastern Kentucky goalkeeper. The Colonels (2-9-1, 1-2 OVC) played the final 23 minutes down a player after goalkeeper Erika Wolfer received a red card in the 67th minute. Wolfer made three saves in the match.

The Panthers took eight more shots (20-12) than the Colonels, including six more shots on goal (7-1). EKU had one more corner kick (4-3) in the match than EIU. Both teams committed 10 fouls.

Radloff led the Panther offense with five shots (three on goal) while Madison Carter, Hannah Miller and Chris Reed all added three shots (one on goal). Nikki Donnelly led the Colonels with five shots.

Cortney Jerzy (4-3) posted her second consecutive shutout, making one save in the win. She now has a 0.50 goals against average in conference play. Samm Melton (0-2) took the loss for EKU, allowing one goal and making three saves in the final 23 minutes of the match.

The Panthers return to action at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12 at Austin Peay.