Even No. 20 Illinois' first-half highlight play against top-ranked Oregon on Saturday in Eugene went bust.

With the Illini trailing 21-3 and in grave danger of going out of the game before the band took the field at halftime, quarterback Luke Altmyer threw a nice outside shoulder pass to receiver Pat Bryant on the right sideline. Bryant, who was manhandled by the Ducks' defensive back on the play, somehow reached out with his right arm to tip the ball and then pull it into the crook of his arm.

But after the initial decision to end the ball in the first period, a replay showed that the nose of the ball had touched the turf before Bryant secured it. No gain – and no pass interference penalty.

Once again, no dice for the Illini.

When the Ducks' running back came, Noah Wittington burst into the open with a shotgun run from his stomach, canceling out Illinois' deep safety go By the time I reached the end zone at 6:09 of the quarter, the day — and so much of the joy of this 2024 Illini season — felt completely lost.

Oh, and then the Ducks scored again.

Halftime: Oregon 35, Illinois 3

First quarter update: Oregon leads Illinois 14-3

Urban Meyer breaks down the Bret Bielema effect in Illinois

Oregon coach Dan Lanning praises Illinois' Bret Bielema