No. 19 Nebraska 45, Illinois 14: Ameer Abdullah posted his third 200-yard rushing performance of the season and ran for three first-half touchdowns as the host Cornhuskers cruised past the Illini in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Abdullah rushed for 127 yards in the first quarter, added 69 more before halftime and finished with 208 on 22 carries for Nebraska (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten), which has won 36 of its last 40 conference openers. Kenny Bell chipped in five receptions for 105 yards and a score while Imani Cross set career highs with 22 carries and 109 yards rushing as the Cornhuskers piled up 458 of their 624 yards on the ground – the school’s 18th 300-yard rushing effort in coach Bo Pelini’s seven-year tenure.

Reilly O'Toole went the distance in place of regular starter Wes Lunt (leg), going 17-of-38 for 261 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions for Illinois (3-2, 0-1). Josh Ferguson paced the Illini with 61 yards rushing – most of which came on a first-quarter 41-yard TD run – and Geronimo Allison made five catches for 118 yards as the Illini has been outscored 89-33 in two road games this season.

Abdullah rushed for 60 yards on Nebraska’s opening drive and capped off a seven-play march with a 12-yard TD before Ferguson broke loose for his third run of 40 or more yards in the last two games on the ensuing possession. Abdullah scored twice in a span of 3:29 in the second quarter, converting runs of 8 and 2 yards – the latter of which came three plays after Nate Gerry ran an interception back 54 yards to the Illinois 11.

The Cornhuskers stretched the margin to 28-7 on the first play of their next possession as Tommy Armstrong Jr. connected with Bell on a 63-yard strike before Allison answered with a 58-yard TD catch. Drew Brown sent Nebraska into the break with a 17-point lead on a short field goal while Cross (4 yards) and Terrell Newby (6) completed the rout with second-half scoring runs.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Abdullah leads the FBS with 833 yards rushing. … The Cornhuskers’ scoring output was their highest in conference play since joining the Big Ten in 2011. .. Nebraska, which has posted its two best team rushing efforts under Pelini this season, improved to 50-0 all-time when at least two players run for more than 100 yards.