With last Friday’s victory, Bielema improved to 22-19 as head coach. He’s the first Illini head coach to start .500 or better through 41 games since Lou Tepper.

After almost 13 years, the Fighting Illini have managed to reach 4-0, thanks to a 31-24 overtime win that left football fans on the edge of their seats. Head coach Bret Bielema, however, remained unfazed, despite having the plan to wrap it all up before the fourth quarter.

This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: What Nebraska coach Matt Rhule and Illinois coach Bret Bielema said after the Illini upset the Huskers No. 24 Illinois is off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2011 after defeating No. 22 Nebraska in Lincoln, 31–24.

Bret Bielema’s familiarity with Nebraska goes back decades. Ahead of Friday's ranked matchup, the Illinois coach had high praise for the Husker fanbase and quarterback Dylan Raiola.

Don’t look now, but the Illinois football team has found itself with a number next to our name. The last couple of weeks have been pretty big for the Illini. Ge

After losing a matchup between ranked teams, Nebraska football has exited both top 25 polls.  The Huskers entered a Friday night matchup against Illinois slotted at No. 22 in both the coaches' and Associated Press top 25 polls.

Nebraska plays well in spots in a game, shoots itself in the foot and manages to force an OT. Then in OT, the Huskers have another agonizing meltdown and lose the game with a whimper. Sad story. Here we go again,