Benning: Northern Iowa's 'yards after contact' not portable to Illinois game

NEBRASKA CITY – Fans can expect to see carry over from Nebraska’s undefeated non-conference schedule as the team enters Big 10 play, but Husker Radio Network analyst Damon Benning says they won’t see the physicality of Northern Iowa’s running game carry over into Friday’s Illinois game.

Defensive Coordinator Tony White linked Northern Iowa’s 180 yards-after-contact to its early third-down success and its time-consuming drives, but Benning told his Big Red Buzz audience at Valentino’s Restaurant in Nebraska City not to expect to see a repeat of the Northern Iowa run-game physicality this week.

Benning: “There is not a ton that is portable from UNI to Illinois. … Northern Iowa is more physical in the run game.”

He said Nebraska’s defenders can be reminded about technique and the value of team tackling from the Northern Iowa running backs, who averaged 3.6 yards per carry last Saturday.

Illinois has four backs averaging over 4 yards per carry and Benning called their offensive line, which lost two players to the NFL off of last year’s team, as massive and experienced. He said Nebraska’s defensive line has its work cut out for it.

Benning said Illinois’ passing game is aided by receivers who excel at “tough, contested balls.”

The Fighting Illini are completing 67 percent of passes and are averaging 225 passing yards per game.

Benning: “I don’t think Illinois will run the ball.”

He said things that are portable from the Northern Iowa game includes Nebraska’s offensive style.

Coach Matt Rhule says he is okay with boring fourth quarters and Benning said that means getting a lead, nursing the clock and distributing the ball to a variety of backs and receivers.

Benning: “He’s a big win-and-move-on kind of guy.”

Score prediction, Nebraska 30, Illinois 16