Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Anthony Grant (23). Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Nebraska recovers unintentional onside kick, scores 14 points over three-play span vs. Illinois

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/6/23

Friday night's matchup between Nebraska and Illinois took a quick turn in favor of the Cornhuskers late in the first half following an insane three-play span, resulting in an unintentional on-side kick and 14 points.

Nursing a 3-0 lead, Nebraska went up 10-0 following a one-yard touchdown run by Anthony Grant with 6:47 left in the second quarter. While that wasn't the best development for the Illini, it was about to get much worse.

On the ensuing kickoff, swirling winds at Memorial Stadium caused an inadvertent on-side kick, which Nebraska recovered.

WOW @HuskerFootball recovers it off the kick off pic.twitter.com/LUprgMwCtE
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 7, 2023

A play later, quarterback Heinrich Haarberg scampered up the middle for a 25-yard score, putting Nebraska up 17-0 in the blink of an eye.

Another one! @HKHaarberg10 takes it himself for the @HuskerFootball TD! pic.twitter.com/izUBiz1Zdq
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 7, 2023

Thanks to their stretch of good fortune, the Cornhuskers took a 17-7 advantage into the halftime break as they look to hold on for a win to improve to .500 on the year (3-3).

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