Illinois football secures bowl eligibility by styming Nebraska on Friday

Collin Dixon caught two touchdown passes including a record-breaker and Illinois used a trick play to set up its go-ahead TD as the Illini defeated Nebraska 24-13 on Friday night to become bowl eligible with their fourth straight victory.Dixon’s 3- and 6-yard TD receptions gave him 12 for the year, breaking Illinois’ all-time single-season mark by two. He caught eight passes for 129 yards from Katin Houser, who was 22 of 36 through the air for 292 yards and three TDs.A 29-yard run by holder Lars Rau on a fake field goal set up the go-ahead TD for Illinois (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten Conference) early in the third quarter — a 5-yard pass from Houser to Jordan Anderson.Rau, who is the Illini's punter, said the fake is called "Charlie Brown.""It worked because everyone did their part," he said.Nebraska coach Matt Ruhle said his team was prepared for the fake, but the Illini still pulled it off."They called something aggressive, executed it, and made the play," he said.Illinois coach Bret Bielema sa