All forward momentum ceased Friday night in Champaign, Illinois. A Nebraska football season that ran off the rails in the fourth quarter against Washington came to a grinding halt with a 24-13 loss to Illinois. The Cornhuskers’ operating system has crashed.

The Husker offense continued to grope its way along, misfiring time after time against a defense that hasn’t impressed many observers this fall. Once again, the Huskers ran more plays, won the time-of-possession battle and produced yards, but not points. The inability to finish drives is damning evidence of a undependable running game that obviously is not a high priority for offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, who was just as ineffective while ensconced far above the field in the press box as he has been while working on the sideline.

Under Matt Rhule, Nebraska (5-4 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) will lose more conference games than it wins for the fourth consecutive season.…