Nebraska held the running game of Illinois’ sensational Harold “Red” Grange largely in check, but the visiting Illini turned to the airways and eked out a 9-6 victory with a fourth-quarter field goal.
 
A decided underdog to the defending Big Ten co-champions, Nebraska struck first on a 53-yard drive capped by halfback John “Choppy” Rhodes’ twisting 37-yard run in the first quarter, but Elbert Bloodgood’s extra-point attempt was no good.
 
Illinois answered with a 47-yard drive in the second quarter. The big gainer was 30-yard pass play on third and five, and the touchdown came on an eight-yard pass from Grange to Charles Kassel. The PAT kick failed, so it was a 6-6 tie at intermission.
 
Nebraska’s best scoring opportunity the rest of the way came in the third quarter when Rhodes intercepted a Grange pass and returned it to the Illinois 33. After yielding a first down, Illinois stiffened, and on fourth and five at the 17, Bloodgood’s field goal try from about the 25 yard line sailed wide.
 
In the final period, a 23-yard Nebraska punt on third down gave Illinois possession on the NU 39. An offside penalty on Nebraska and a 15-yard run by Marion Leonard put the Illini in scoring position, and Earl Britton’s kick from the 27 yard line was true.
 
The Huskers could not mount a threat on their two subsequent possessions, which started at their own 12 and 20 yard lines.
 
NOTES: Rhodes moved from end to halfback during the week before the game because of an ankle injury to Roland Locke. … Grange’s stats, according to this source: 16 carries for 74 yards; 6-of-11 passing for 116 yards; 3 punt returns for 42 yards. … Cornhusker fans “were celebrating what they termed a moral victory,” the Associated Press reported. … Nebraska center Harold Hutchinson suffered a broken collarbone in the first half and was replaced by Joe Wostoupel. … AP reported that Hutchinson, Rhodes, tackle Ed Weir and fullback Douglas Myers “played brilliantly” for Nebraska.
 
MORE COVERAGE: Omaha World-Herald  •  Associated Press

              1   2   3   4    Final 
Illinois      0   6   0   3  --   9
Nebraska      6   0   0   0  --   6

First quarter
NU - John Rhodes 37 run (kick failed)
Second quarter
UI - Charles Kassel 8 pass from Red Grange (kick failed)
Fourth quarter
UI - Earl Britton 37 field goal

                         UI        NU
First downs              12         6
Total offense           245       142
Passes Comp-Att        6-12       0-2