Even the highlights of No. 20 Illinois against top-ranked Oregon in Saturday’s first half in Eugene were bust.

With the Illini down 21-3 and in grave danger of being blown out before the band takes the field at halftime, quarterback Luke Altmyer threw a nice off-the-shoulder pass to receiver Pat Bryant down the right sideline. Bryant, mauled by the Ducks’ defensive back, somehow extended his right arm to tip the ball and then drag it into the crook of his arm.

But after the first call of a first-down completion, a replay showed that the nose of the ball had hit the turf before Bryant secured it. No win – and no pass interference penalty.

Once again no dice for the Illini.

By the time Ducks running back Noah Wittington broke into the open on an exciting shotgun run and tied the Illinois deep safety before to walk in the end zone at 6:09 of the quarter, the day — and so much of the joy of this 2024 Illini season — felt completely lost.

Oh, and then the Ducks scored again.

Halftime: Oregon 35, Illinois 3

First Quarter Update: Oregon leads Illinois 14-3

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