Altmyer, Beatty Lead #22 Illinois to Cannon Win at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – No. 22 Illinois defeated Purdue, 43-27, on Saturday afternoon at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Illini took dwelling The Cannon rivalry trophy for a second straight yr, the Illini’s first time with back-to-back wins within the collection since 2001-02. 

Illinois (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) used a 27-point second quarter to race previous Purdue (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten). Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for 217 yards and one landing within the second quarter on his solution to a career-best 390 yards passing on the sport. 

Altmyer linked with Hank Beatty 5 occasions for a career-high 186 yards, highlighted by a career-long 62-yard landing reception within the second quarter. On the bottom, Ca’Lil Valentine led the Illini speeding assault with 95 yards and a landing, whereas Kaden Feagin added two landing rushes.

Illinois used three David Olano subject objectives within the second half and one Feagin landing to maintain Purdue from ever getting inside one possession during the last 40+ minutes. Olano was an ideal 5-for-5 on subject objectives within the sport, tying the Illinois file for makes in a single sport, whereas additionally changing on all 4 additional factors. 

Purdue’s solely lead at 7-0 was short-lived, as Illinois’ defensive spotlight of the day was supplied by Dylan Rosiek when he compelled a fumble that was recovered by JoJo Hayden. One play later, Altmyer discovered a wide-open Beatty for the 62-yard landing catch and run. Beatty’s new career-long reception gave the Illini their first lead, 10-7, and so they by no means seemed again.

The Fighting Illini prolonged their lead with their longest scoring drive of the season on a 94-yard landing drive ignited by a 49-yard move to Hollins and capped off by a 6-yard landing rush by Feagin, 17-7.

Altmyer as soon as once more discovered Beatty large open the following drive for 40 yards to place Beatty over 100 yards receiving within the first half with 137 yards. The subsequent play, Valentine sprinted into the tip zone untouched from 25 yards out for his new career-long rush to increase the Illinois benefit, 24-7.

The Boilermakers answered with a 60-yard strike to chop into the lead, 24-14, earlier than Olano hit a 42-yard subject purpose to take a 27-14 benefit into the break. Olano would tack on a 45-yard subject purpose to open the second half, and the Illini crossed the 30-point threshold for the fifth time this season, 30-14.

Purdue scored a landing on their first drive of the second half to drag inside 9, 30-21 which was the closest it will get the remainder of the afternoon. Ashton Hollins compelled a fumble on punt protection, recovered by Kenenna Odeluga, which arrange Olano’s fourth subject purpose of the day, 33-21.

After a three-and-out, Feagin powered in from the 1-yard line for his second landing of the day, 40-21. Olano ended the sport the best way it began by changing on a 40-yard subject purpose to make the ultimate rating 43-27 within the Orange and Blue’s favor.

Illinois returns to Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11, to host No. 1 Ohio State. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on FOX. Tickets are offered out.

HIGHLIGHTS

PRESS CONFERENCES

POSTGAME NOTES

Team Notes

• Illinois is 15-4 during the last two seasons, together with 11 Power-4 wins and eight Big Ten wins
• Illinois has gained 9 of its final 10 video games. It is Illinois’ first time going 9-1 over a 10-game stretch since ending the 2001 common season 10-1
• Illinois is 11-4 when taking part in as a ranked crew during the last two seasons
• Illinois beat Purdue in back-to-back seasons for the primary time since 2001-02
• Bret Bielema gained on the street for the twelfth time throughout his Illinois profession, tied for essentially the most street wins by an Illinois head coach in his first 5 seasons together with Mike White (1980-84) and Bob Blackman (1971-75)
• Bielema gained his twentieth Big Ten sport at Illinois, turning into the fourth head coach in program historical past to win 20+ Big Ten video games over his first 5 seasons in Champaign (Mike White 30, John Mackovic 22, Bob Blackman 20)
• Bielema is the primary head coach in Illinois historical past to win 5+ video games in every of his first 5 seasons in Champaign
• Illinois is averaging 35.7 factors per sport over its final 10 video games, whereas going 9-1 throughout that stretch
• Illinois recorded its longest scoring drive of the season, going 94 yards to take a 17-7 lead on the 3:52 mark within the second quarter on Kaden Feagin’s 6-yard speeding landing
• Illinois’ 27-point second quarter marked this system’s highest scoring interval since additionally scoring 27 factors within the fourth quarter of the Fighting Illini’s 37-34 comeback victory over Michigan State on Nov. 9, 2019
• The Illini scored 40+ factors in a street sport for the second time this season, registering two 40-point street video games in the identical season for the reason that 2010 marketing campaign
• Illinois’ 43 factors are their most in a Big Ten street sport since scoring 47 at Northwestern on Nov. 26, 2022
• Illinois is 11-1 when it has dedicated zero or one turnover during the last two seasons (2024-25)
• Illinois is 12-1 when it has compelled a number of turnovers during the last two seasons (2024-25)

Player Notes

• Luke Altmyer went 19-for-22 with a career-high 390 yards and one landing
  
  • Totaled a career-high 390 passing yards, surpassing his earlier better of 379 towards Purdue final season in Champaign
  • Fourth profession sport with over 300 passing yards
  • First time in his profession with back-to-back 300-yard passing video games
  • Eclipsed 6,000 passing yards for his profession at Illinois, turning into the seventh Illini to achieve that mark:
    
    1. Jack Trudeau, 1981-85 – 8,725
    
    2. Kurt Kittner, 1998-2001 – 8,722
    
    3. Nathan Scheelhaase, 2010-13 – 8,568
    
    4. Juice Williams, 2006-09 – 8,037
    
    5. Jason Verduzco, 1989-92 – 7,532
    
    6. Tony Eason, 1981-82 – 7,031
    
    7. Luke Altmyer, 2023-25 – 6,173
  • Recorded his fifth completion of fifty+ yards on his reference to Hank Beatty for a 62-yard rating within the second quarter
  • Went 7/7 with 219 yards and a landing within the second quarter
  • Now has 495 profession completions and 47 profession passing touchdowns

• Hank Beatty recorded a career-high 186 yards and a landing on his 5 catches
  • Recorded a career-long 186 receiving yards, eclipsing his earlier better of 128 yards at Duke in Week 2 on Sept. 6
    • Now has three profession 100-yard receiving video games

  • Beatty’s 186 receiving yards are essentially the most in a Big Ten sport this season and essentially the most in a convention sport since Pat Bryant had 197 at Rutgers on Nov. 23, 2024
  • Scored on a career-long 62-yard reception to present the Illini a 10-7 lead on the 12:50 mark within the second quarter
  • Illinois’ most receiving yards vs. Purdue
    
    1. 200 – Mike Dudek (10/4/2014)
    
    2. 186 – Hank Beatty (10/4/25)
    
    3. 169 – Steve Hull (11/23/2013)

• Kaden Feagin secured his fourth and fifth touchdowns of the marketing campaign
  • Scored his fourth speeding landing of the season, a 6-yard plunge, to present the Illini a 17-7 lead on the 3:52 mark within the second quarter
  • Added his fifth speeding rating on a 1-yard carry to increase the Illinois result in 40-21 with 1:19 left within the third quarter
  • Posted his first profession multi-touchdown sport
  • Feagin’s 5 speeding touchdowns are a career-high in a single season

• Ca’Lil Valentine led the Illini in speeding with 95 yards on the bottom and a rating
  • Recorded a career-most 95 speeding yards, eclipsing his earlier career-high mark of 63 yards vs. Western Michigan (9/13/25)
  • Scored his fourth-career speeding landing, a career-long 25-yard rush, to present the Illini a 24-7 lead on the 2:25 mark of the second quarter

• Ashton Hollins tallied one catch for 49 yards and compelled a fumble on particular groups
  • Hauled in a career-long 49-yard reception
  • Became the second FBS participant with a catch and a compelled fumble in the identical sport this season (Washington’s Quentin Moore vs. #1 Ohio State on Sept. 27)

• Dylan Rosiek recorded three complete tackles, together with one solo, and a compelled fumble
  • Made his first compelled fumble of the season and the seventh of his profession
    • Moved right into a tie for sixth place on the Illini profession compelled fumbles record
      
      1. Simeon Rice (1992-95) 13
      
      2. Jake Hansen (2016-21) 12
      
      3. Whitney Mercilus (2009-11) 11
      
      4. Stanley Green (2016-19) 10
      
      5. Dana Howard (1990-94) 8
      
      6. Dylan Rosiek (2021-Present) 7
      
      Mason Monheim (2012-15) 7
      
      Earnest Thomas III (2011-2014) 7
      
      Kevin Hardy (1992-95) 7

• David Olano tied this system file along with his career-high 5 made subject objectives.
  • Made a career-high 5 subject objectives whereas going an ideal 5-for-5 on FGs and 4-for-4 on PATs
    • Tied this system file for subject objectives made in a sport
    • Became the primary Illini kicker with 5 made subject objectives in a sport since Doug Higgins on Oct. 20, 1990
    • Converted kicks from 35, 42, 45, 34, and 40
    • Has a number of FGs in back-to-back video games for the third time in his profession and for the primary time this season
    • His 5 subject purpose makes an attempt additionally marked a brand new career-most

Quotes

Opening Statement

“I’m excited. I give a whole lot of credit score to Purdue. I assumed Barry had carried out a fantastic job. It was a aggressive 4 quarter sport to get a win over right here is necessary. To get The Cannon within the one hundred and first assembly and to win back-to-back it has been a very long time for all of the Illinois followers who have not been ready to do this. The largest factor is I feel we’re at some extent the place if we do not play our greatest we are able to nonetheless discover a solution to get it carried out. The key for us this week, we now have an unbelievable alternative to play Ohio State, we should get our guys wholesome and contemporary.’

 

“We had some special things in all three phases of the game today. Luke had a career day, and we don’t even really know it because it’s so routine for him. There were a lot of things that happened today that I thought were cool. Our response when we gave up the big touchdown play before the half which is inexcusable. Then to have our offense go out there and execute an end of half drive to get points on the board to take that momentum back was huge. Then we came out with a momentum changer with a turnover on the punt and were an opportunistic group all day and it was a full team effort.” 

 

On Luke Altmyer

“The thing I love about working with Luke is he shuts out the noise and takes care of his day. His preparation detail is amazing. He has his own study in the building where he can get alone and watch films on his own. He does a great job of putting himself into preparation mode to get ready for Tuesday’s practice and execute, Wednesday he makes corrections and Thursday get the gameplan together. I can’t control the outside narrative, I’ve been in this business for a long time and have quarterbacks who have played in the NFL and still are playing in the NFL. This guy’s as good as I’ve ever had.”

 

On Hank Beatty

“People that are in the game when I say this know what I mean. Both Hank and Luke let the game come to them. When Luke’s playing at his best he lets the game come to him and Hank, especially at receiver, lets the play come to him. There are things we design and put him in position, but he just lets the game come to him naturally. I think that’s a good sign. Luke has a high comfort level throwing him the ball in his area and knows what he’s going to do and could do after the catch. There’s only so many plays to go around, but as many ways as we can put the ball into Hank’s hands we’ll get rewarded 10-fold. He’s a fun player to be around and a piece of work with everything he does preparation wise.”

 

On Josh Kreutz’s absence and TJ McMillen stepping in 

“He got rolled up last week and played through it adrenaline wise. The good news was this week Josh never really practiced until yesterday. He tried to make a go of it and the way it looked yesterday we didn’t think today would be in his best interest to play. That’s why we went with TJ, but he’s a coach’s son and you had a feeling that if he got his opportunity, he was going to take advantage of it. I know it wasn’t perfect today, but I know Luke was excited for him and his offensive line buddies were excited for him. To see him get that first opportunity on the road in the Big Ten is a big statement and I think he’s got a lot of good football in front of him.”

 

On how he is grown from final yr to this yr

“The game is slowing down for me; I’ve gotten better as a physical quarterback for sure. It’s the intangibles. I trust what I see, I’m seeing the field well, I’m comfortable in the pocket. I’ve played with the same five-seven offensive linemen for the past few years and growing with Barry Lunney has helped too. Instilling a lot of trust and confidence in me. We’re stacking days and I believe in myself greatly. I believe I’m very gifted and a lot of good things culminate into what you see on the field.”

 

On how TJ McMillen stepped up in Josh Kreutz’s absence

“When you’re without a captain it’s not great. A guy who’s played a lot of starts, was a leader for us and the centerpiece of our organization. So, to have Josh not out there is difficult. But nobody had a doubt at all or was worried about TJ going out there and stepping in. He has shadowed Kreutz and everything he has done over the past few years. They’re inseparable people because they play the same position, but they’re good friends and he’s learned a lot. He’s maximized all his opportunities in practice, the offseason and out there on that field today to be his best. He’s gifted and very intelligent. I didn’t even notice Kreutz wasn’t out there because we were doing some good stuff out there with TJ.”

On his ideas on the protection in the present day

“I think we persevered. We gave them a couple big plays beating ourselves, but we just kept fighting. That’s what I love about our defense. No matter what the circumstances are, we just keep fighitng and keep chopping wood.”

 

On the emotions of successful the Cannon

“It’s been a rivalry for so long, this was the 101st anniversary of the game so to win games like that it’s always special. Illinois hasn’t won back-to-back I think in 23 years, so it’s special to be a part of the team that has won back-to-back now for the first time in a long time.”

On Luke Altmyer as his QB

“I mean he’s doing a tremendous job. He’s changed the game on multiple levels. He gets out of the pocket when he’s hurried and throws the ball at a high clip. That one go ball he had to Hank Beatty was crazy. I mean the defender was right on him and Luke delivered the ball to him right in his lap. It’s been amazing to see him play to his fullest potential.”

 

On No. 1 Ohio State coming into Champaign

“I think it’s a great opportunity, anytime you get the number one ranked team coming into your house you get excited about that. Defending national champions and all that buzz but we’re going to attack the game the same way as any other game on our schedule. We must put the pen to the paper and get to work.” 

On his reference to Luke rising

“I feel like we’re getting better and better every game and that’s what good football teams do. He’s thrown some dots out there, not just to be but everybody else too. The lines protecting him long enough to get the ball out so it’s something that’s been growing throughout the season and it’s good to see. I felt it in the spring; I could tell that we were clicking and on the same page more often than not. He was playing at an elite level all offseason and that’s come to light here in the fall.”

 

On the offense’s all-around efficiency in the present day

“We had a good day, I think everybody did their job well, but there’s obviously things we need to work on. That’s the name of the game to always be getting better. The coaching staff here does a great job of pushing us to our limit and always wanting to be better. That’s something we’re going to go in there and look at the film tomorrow to see what we could’ve done better. Then hopefully carry that into next week.”