Mistakes and self-inflicted wounds were the name of the game on Saturday, and both played a major part in Nebraska’s loss to Illinois to open the 2021 season.
Staff photographer Eric Francis captured the action, which you can check out in our photo gallery.
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Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 takes a shot from Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Devon Witherspoon #31 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Ty Robinson #99 tries to block the pass of Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Brandon Peters #18 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Markese Stepp #30 runs after a catch during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 runs the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Kamonte Grimes #13 runs the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt #5 recovers a fumble during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 fumbles the ball after being hit by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. #88 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Damion Daniels #93 and Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Nick Henrich #42 zero in on the Illinois Fighting Illini running back during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker JoJo Domann #13 and Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Damion Daniels #93 squish Illinois Fighting Illini running back Jakari Norwood #3 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers safety Marquel Dismuke #9, Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Luke Reimer #28, Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Ben Stille #95 and Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Ty Robinson #99 track Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Hayden #22 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers safety Marquel Dismuke #9, Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Luke Reimer #28, Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Ben Stille #95 and Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Ty Robinson #99 track Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Hayden #22 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost waits on a replay decision during their game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Nick Henrich #42 and Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Garrett Nelson #44 wrap Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Love III #23 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 finds an opening in the Illinois Fighting Illini defense during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Ben Stille #95 and Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Ty Robinson #99 wrap up Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown #2 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Will Honas #3 hauls in a pass during their game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 looks for an opening in the Illinois Fighting Illini defense during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers fans during their game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Wyatt Liewer #85 is wrapped up by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Tony Adams #6 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Gabe Ervin #22 rtries to slip past Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Sydney Brown #30 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 looks down field during their game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Samori Toure tries to find the edge against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Tony Adams #6 during their game at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers fans during their game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
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Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 shows a desperate pass downfield during their game at against the Illinois Fighting Illini Memorial Stadium Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2021, in Champaign, IL. Photos by Eric Francis
As part of a 25+ year career, Eric has covered Husker sports for magazines, newspapers and international wire services. He has been a regular contributor to Hail Varsity for the past few years and officially joined the team as a staff photographer in August 2016. Eric’s photos have appeared in Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine and nearly every major sports media in the country. Away from the action, Eric enjoys coaching and teaching young men how to compete and occasionally a nice lager around the fire pit with friends and family.
