Nebraska leads Illinois 17-10 at halftime in top-ranked, Big Ten clash

The No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers and No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini are deadlocked in a battle at Memorial Stadium Friday night, as the Huskers lead the Illini 17-10 at halftime.

Nebraska has been able to control the time of possession so far (18:32-11:28), but both teams have capitalized in big moments thus far.

Huskers true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has performed well against his first, top-25 conference opponent, despite a second-quarter interception that was initially ruled a touchdown.

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Related: Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola has touchdown pass overturned to interception vs. Illinois

Raiola has completed 16-for-23 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns, including a fantastic throw at the end of the half to take a touchdown lead against Illinois.

It was hauled in by wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, who has two catches for 17 yards, both of them touchdowns.

Huskers wide receiver Jahmal Banks also has been a favorite target of Raiola's, catching 5 passes for 61 yards.

Illinois got the scoring started on the first drive, as quarterback Luke Altmeyer led the Fighting Illini on a 6-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Pat Bryant. Nebraska cornerback Tommi Hill got beat pretty bad on the route running by Bryant on the play.

The Huskers followed that up with an 18-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a field goal by John Hohl. Nebraska's regular kicker Tristan Alvano was ruled as questionable ahead of Friday night's contest so Hohl has seemingly taken over kicking duties.

Related: Huskers kicker listed as 'questionable' in final injury report vs. Illinois

After Nebraska's Rahmir Johnson forced a fumble on the ensuring Illinois drive and DeShon Singleton recovered it, the Huskers took the lead on a short 4-play, 37-yard drive capped off by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Neyor to take a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Illinois then tied the game on a 8-play, 62-yard drive with a 26-yard field goal by David Olano.

The two then went back and forth without any scores until the end of the half when Raiola put on a show in front of a sellout crowd, the 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.

Nebraska has outgained Illinois in total yards (235-160) and held the Fighting Illini to only 37 rushing yards (2.8 per carry) in the first half.