Illinois Routs Rutgers at Sold-Out Gies Memorial Stadium

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois returned to successful methods with a dominant 35-13 victory over Rutgers at sold-out Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In Illinois’ fourth straight sellout, the Fighting Illini improved to 4-1 at house whereas transferring to 6-3 general with three regular-season video games left on the schedule.

Luke Altmyer amassed 323 complete yards (235 passing, 88 dashing), whereas posting a career-high 5 complete touchdowns (4 passing, 1 dashing). Altmyer led the Illini on a 99-yard landing drive on its first possession by throwing for 66 yards on 7-of-8 passing and the Illini by no means appeared again in a complete crew effort.

Altmyer’s 4 landing passes went to 4 completely different receivers. Kaden Feagin made his second landing reception of the season within the first quarter, whereas Hank Beatty hauled in his third receiving landing of the 12 months.

Hudson Clement registered his first receiving rating as an Illini whereas tallying 5 catches for 84 yards, whereas Collin Dixon was the fourth completely different receiver to get into the tip zone together with his third-quarter catch.

Gabe Jacas highlighted the protection with 2.0 sacks and a pair of.5 tackles for loss. He moved into sole possession of third place on this system’s profession sacks listing.

The Illini completed with a season-most 210 dashing yards as a crew whereas totaling 445 complete yards of offense.

After the Illini protection compelled the Scarlet Knights to punt on the guests’ opening possession, Illinois started its first drive by itself 1-yard line. Six minutes, 12 performs, and 99 yards later, the Orange and Blue discovered the tip zone for the primary time by way of a 7-yard receiving rating from Feagin, marking the Illini’s longest scoring drive since 2013. The landing put the hosts in entrance, 7-0, with simply over 4 minutes left within the first quarter.

Rutgers reduce its deficit to a single level by way of subject objectives on its subsequent two drives earlier than Illinois discovered the tip zone as soon as once more. Altmyer accounted for 55 yards on the bottom on the possession, capping the scoring drive with a 3-yard dashing landing to increase the Illini edge, 14-6, late within the second interval of play.

Forcing one other Scarlet Knight punt on the away facet’s subsequent possession, the Illini drove 70 yards down the sector in lower than a minute to additional add to their benefit. Altmyer discovered a wide-open Beatty for a 1-yard rating, which despatched Illinois into the break with a 21-6 lead.

The Orange and Blue completed the primary half with 267 complete yards of offense, almost evenly cut up between the run and go video games. The Illini transformed on all three of their journeys to the pink zone whereas going 4-for-5 on third-down conversions throughout the opening two quarters.

Just over 4 minutes into the third body, Illinois scored its fourth landing of the afternoon on its first drive of the second half. The Illini transformed on third down twice earlier than Altmyer discovered Clement for an acrobatic 20-yard rating to push the Illini edge to 28-6.

A Scarlet Knight three-and-out despatched the Orange and Blue offense again to work, and so they discovered the tip zone but once more. Illinois capped off an 11-play, 65-yard drive with a 7-yard strike to Dixon on fourth down, ballooning Illinois’ lead as much as 35-6 with 3:25 left within the third quarter.

Rutgers ended a stretch of 28 consecutive Illinois factors with a late landing, the ultimate rating of the afternoon.  

Illinois will take its second bye week earlier than internet hosting Maryland at Gies Memorial Stadium on Oct. 15 for its Military Appreciation Game. Kickoff time and broadcast info might be introduced at a later date.

HIGHLIGHTS

PRESS CONFERENCES

POSTGAME NOTES

Team Notes

• Illinois is postseason eligible in back-to-back seasons for the primary time since 2010-11.
• Illinois is postseason eligible 3 times in a four-year span for the primary time since 1991-94.
• Illinois has 16 wins over the past two seasons, its most wins over a two-year interval since 1989-90, when the Illini tied this system report for wins in a two-year interval with 18 below John Mackovic. 
• Most wins over a two-year interval in Illinois historical past:

  • 18 — 1989-90; 1902-03; 1901-02
  • 17 — 1983-84; 1982-83; 1903-04
  • 16 — 2024-25; 1988-89; 1950-51

• Illinois has 21 Big Ten wins in Bret Bielema‘s first 5 seasons at Illinois. It is Illinois’ most Big Ten wins in a five-year interval since successful 23 Big Ten video games from 1990-94.
• Illinois has 29 wins over the past 4 seasons, its most wins over a four-year interval since successful 30 video games from 1988-91.
• Illinois’ opening 99-yard landing drive was its first since Sept. 7, 2013, towards Cincinnati.
• With the 445 yards of complete offense right this moment Illinois has eclipsed 400+ yards of complete offense in 5 out of 9 contests.
• The Illini’s 210 dashing yards marked a brand new season-high.
• Illinois scored 28 consecutive factors between the second and third quarters.

Player Notes

• Luke Altmyer tallied 5 complete touchdowns whereas throwing for 235 yards and dashing for 88 yards.
  

  • Luke Altmyer gained his twentieth recreation as Illinois’ beginning quarterback (20-10 report), the third-most wins by a quarterback in program historical past.
  • His 5 complete touchdowns are a brand new career-most

    • Posted his sixth recreation this season with a number of passing touchdowns
    • First Illini with 5 touchdowns since 2013 

  • Tied his career-high with 4 passing touchdowns

    • Now has three profession outings with 4 passing scores

  • Recorded his third dashing rating of the season and the eleventh such rating of his profession

    • Rushed for a season-best 88 yards

  • Altmyer recorded his sixteenth recreation with a number of landing passes, tied for second by an Illini quarterback since a minimum of 1995. 

    • 1. Kurt Kittner, 1998-2001 – 22
    • T2. Luke Altmyer, 2023-Present – 16
    • T2. Juice Williams, 2006-09 – 16
    • 4. Nathan Scheelhaase, 2010-13 – 15

• Kaden Feagin recorded a receiving landing and rushed for 26 yards on seven carries

  • Registered his second receiving landing of the season and the third of his profession on his 7-yard rating within the first quarter

    • Marked the thirteenth complete landing of his collegiate profession

• Gabe Jacas registered two sacks whereas making 4 complete tackles

  • Recorded 2.0 sacks and to present him 22.5 for his profession, third in program historical past. 

    • 1. Simeon Rice, 1992-95* – 44.5
    • 2. Scott Davis, 1983-87 – 23.0
    • 3. Gabe Jacas, 2022-Present – 22.5
    • 4. Fred Wakefield, 1997-2000 – 21.0

• Hank Beatty hauled in 4 catches for 40 yards and a landing

  • Marked his third receiving landing of the season (fourth of profession) and fifth complete landing of the season (sixth of profession)

• Hudson Clement caught 5 passes for a team-high 88 yards and a landing

  • Secured his first landing as an Illini on his 20-yard rating within the third quarter

    • Was the tenth receiving rating of his profession

  • Finished with a season-high 88 receiving yards on his 5 catches

• Collin Dixon notched two catches for 36 yards and a landing

  • Recorded his fifth receiving landing of the season 
  • Has now hauled in a receiving landing in three straight video games

Quotes

Opening Statement:

“First, I need to say thanks to the gang for having our fourth sellout in a row. I knew it was going to be a little bit late arriving crowd with the 11 o’clock recreation and it was a little bit chilly. But I appeared up in the midst of that first quarter and noticed an environment that our guys are getting used to taking part in in and I feel they took that to coronary heart. This week I challenged them to do what we should do to have house subject benefit, and I believed they did an important job in getting ready.’

‘Offense, protection, and particular groups Rutgers offered some distinctive challenges in what they do. Greg and his crew from a particular groups standpoint create numerous completely different points and issues, however I believed our guys executed properly. Offensively, Barry and his crew let Luke have these moments with 4 completely different guys catching landing passes reveals the depth and talent of that group. Hudson Clement is a man on Thursday we have been sitting in our workers assembly and Stepp stated that he thought he had his finest week of follow. I feel that confirmed up on the market right this moment. I grabbed him and Ashton Hollins earlier than the sport right this moment and instructed them I loved watching them follow this week.’

‘Defensively, I give numerous credit score to Aaron and our gamers to reply the bell towards the Big Ten’s main passer. There are some good issues they’ve achieved previous to right this moment however I believed our guys have been aggressive all day. We put them in a pair fourth downs, and I believed it was becoming to come back down there on the finish with a pleasant go breakup to stroll off the sector. It was an superior feeling.’

‘I’m tremendous excited for our program with this bye week coming at an excellent time to take this week to take a deep breath and get a few of our guys wholesome. Then we’ll prepare for the three-game stretch with Maryland right here at house might be a enjoyable manner for us to kick off after the bye week. Hopefully change the outcomes from bye week one to bye week two in that regard. We’ll take a while to do what we should do to get on observe.” 

On his protection right this moment:

“Two issues I believed we performed some man and confirmed some cowl two and Rutgers got here out very diligent in what they do. Their offensive coaches have been profitable in changing a few of these third and mediums.  But I believed Aaron Henry and our crew performed a little bit little bit of three down early which I feel saved them off rhythm. Then we had them in some fourth down situations, I do know they transformed that one fourth and three early, however for probably the most half we received off the sector on third and fourth down for an excellent a part of the sport.’

‘I give numerous credit score to Cory and Aaron we speak about contesting the ball and knew what routes have been going to be. I believed general we have been aggressive in our play calling and the way in which we performed. On Friday nights I often have a plan throughout the week. I’ll present them video games that have been related, so that they performed at Purdue,  at Minnesota and at Washington. I additionally confirmed them the USC recreation as a result of I do know USC is an effective soccer crew and I take a look at the way in which we performed that recreation. I do know it was a walk-off subject objective, however we left two touchdowns on the board. I confirmed them six performs from that recreation simply how our guys have been flying to the soccer taking part in with excessive power getting our crowd pumped up and within the recreation. I needed them to go to mattress with the power to know they’re an excellent soccer crew and have performed towards good groups and have gained. I feel that materialized right this moment. 

On the offensive success:

“Luke was very effective with his feet today and when you have a quarterback that does that it limits what you can do defensively. I think that’s a huge part of it and the offensive line giving him time. When you protect the passer and throw the ball accurately good things happen. There was a good play design where Hank got flat on that touchdown and that was 100 percent Barry. Barry knew right away to go to that play call immediately and when he speaks with that intensity usually we have good results. So, when I hear that in the headset it makes me smile because I know good things are coming.”

On the followers:

“I promise you when I saw that crowd out there today, I thought it was amazing. To see all the seats filled is an awesome feeling. I know the game kind of wore on and wasn’t too crazy down the stretch. But hopefully next game we can get it full again because I want to do something to thank all the fans with their continued support of our program.”

On working the ball extra and the way it’s helped get him in rhythm:

“A little bit, yes. It’s always good to feel like you’re in the game, getting hit a little bit. I play a lot of football, so it’s easier for me to get into a flow kind of early just because I understand the speed of the game, how things work. It’s good to be able to feel like you’re a part of the game in that way, to be able to feel a shot or two early. It helps, for sure. A quarterback run is an effective play to be able to affect the perimeter and play off numbers and leverage. To add extra hat in the run game with myself, and that’s just the reality of the situation. Credit to Coach Lunney for keeping things up and having a good thing going there. I’m excited to keep on doing that and use my abilities that God’s given me to be the best, so those are fun moments to be able to break explosive runs.”

On being bowl eligible once more this season:

“Yeah, it’s cool to be able to play in the postseason, those are cool fun moments. Hopefully, we can get another win next week but keep on doing what we do. So it’s cool, it’s fun knowing that you keep on playing past the end of the regular season is always a good thing. I’m excited for our group, and we love to play. We’re excited about it.”

On the pink zone effectivity right this moment:

“Yeah, we’re just hard to defend. We do different things with the center and mixing of personnel, play action, downhill run, using our weapons in different ways and different situations. It’s hard for teams to catch our tendencies. Coach does a good job of mixing it up, whether it’s a direct run or play action or an exotic trick play. We have a lot of confidence down there and I think during fall camp and spring ball our first couple of practices are in the red zone, so we get a lot of work down there. Using our abilities to maximize those points. We understand how important it is. We have a lot of things going on within our red zone plan, so we use them.”

On his and Luke’s chemistry bettering:

“Yeah, for sure. You know, each week and each day in practice, we’re building that and working towards getting better at it. I think today was just a little glimpse of it getting better, and we did pretty good today.”

On his landing catch:

“It was a close catch. I mean, Luke put it in the one spot that the DB can’t get to, so you know that’s when I got to make a play right there. There was a little bobble, but I was glad that I was in and glad I made the catch for him. It was a great play.”

On how Luke working impacts the offense:

“Oh yes, that’s electric. We aren’t going to get open every time, so sometimes him being able to create space and run the ball is great for our offense to keep the ball moving.”

On being aggressive on protection right this moment:

“Being aware of the situation and knowing the play. From that being able to play your hardest and not sit back, worry or be anxious about what the offense might give us and give them problems as opposed to figuring out their problems.”

On how the aggressive play fashion improved their play right this moment:

“The experience for sure, but also the mentality that a lot of guys have. Having that defensive mentality that being aggressive is super important because it allows you to fly around. It allows you to be you, to be your best version, and I think it was a very positive turnaround for this week.”

On how they shut out the skin noise this week:

“The outside does say a lot, ultimately, but it’s been the same. Aaron’s a great leader and we all believe in him, there’s no second guessing when it comes to him. We all knew that we needed to play better. Whether from the top down, I’m sure he had things he felt that he could’ve done better, but so did every player. Every player did not play their best game last week. So, we all knew we needed to get better, and I think that was the emphasis going into this week.”

On the 9 go breakups right this moment:

“We emphasize on d-line. If you can’t get back there, get your hands up.. A lot of guys bat the ball down and get their hands up so we just say, “hey let’s do that” and, as you can see, a lot of balls were knocked down. We capitalize on that.”

On the defensive preparation this week:

“I feel like the guys really wanted it this week. They wanted to get after it. I can tell in their preparation and the way they practice. The way we came up here and watched that extra tape. The way we’re in the meeting rooms and doing the little things repeatedly, and I think that’s one thing that we just didn’t do in the past. We weren’t doing the little things, and you can tell this week that we were doing the little things, and it made a difference.”

On Coach Henry this week:

“Confidence. I feel like last week, he says wasn’t his best week and being more aggressive, I feel like he’s more aggressive in his game plan, and we executed. That’s what it comes down to, is execution. If you don’t execute, you can’t win any games, and I feel like a lot of guys execute and do their jobs. You can see everybody was having fun out there and loved to dominate.”