Illinois Defeats Maryland at Residence, 24-6

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois earned its second consecutive win with a 24-6 victory over Maryland at Gies Memorial Stadium. The Fighting Illini enhance to 5-1 at house and 7-3 general.

Illinois was led by a pair of landing passes from quarterback Luke Altmyer to large receiver Hudson Clement, together with a speeding landing from Kaden Feagin, his sixth this season. A 33-yard Illinois discipline purpose from David Olano capped off the scoring within the fourth quarter.

Altmyer completed the day with 234 whole yards (172 passing, 62 speeding) and moved right into a tie with Juice Williams (2006-09) for the second-most landing passes in program historical past (56). He additionally turns into the primary Illini in historical past with back-to-back seasons of 20 or extra landing passes.

Clement paced the Illini with 72 receiving yards, incomes his second and third profession scores in an Illinois uniform.

Matthew Bailey highlighted the Illini protection with ten whole tackles, whereas Gabe Jacas and Pat Farrell mixed for Maryland’s fourth sack allowed this season. The sack strikes Jacas right into a tie with Scott Davis (1983-87) for second-most in program historical past (23.0). The Illini protection held the Terrapins to simply six factors, together with zero factors allowed within the second half.

Illinois travels to Madison, Wisconsin, for its closing highway take a look at of the common season in opposition to Wisconsin. Kickoff time and broadcast data will likely be introduced at a later date.

HIGHLIGHTS

PRESS CONFERENCES

POSTGAME NOTES 

Team Notes

• Illinois head coach Bret Bielema set this system file for wins in a head coach’s first 5 seasons. Bielema has gained 35 video games at Illinois, passing Mike White’s 34 wins from 1980-84.
• Illinois is one win away from tying this system file for wins throughout a two-year interval. The Illini have 17 wins during the last two seasons, its most wins over a two-year interval since 1989-90, when the Illini tied this system file for wins in a two-year interval with 18 underneath John Mackovic.
• Most wins over a two-year interval in Illinois historical past:

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

• Illinois has 7+ wins in back-to-back seasons for the primary time since 2010-11.
• Illinois has 7+ wins thrice in a four-year span for the primary time since 1981-84.
• Illinois has 22 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 profitable 23 Big Ten video games from 1990-94.
• Illinois has 30 wins during the last 4 seasons, tied for its most wins over a four-year interval since profitable 31 video games from 1981-84.
• Illinois has 35 wins during the last 5 seasons, tied for its most wins over a five-year interval since profitable 36 video games from 1988-92.
• Illinois is 11-2 at Gies Memorial Stadium during the last two seasons, tied for this system’s most wins over a two-year interval within the stadium’s historical past.
• The Illini rushed for a season-high 225 yards.
• Illinois has now posted 200+ speeding yards for the third time this season.
• Illinois’ 225 speeding yards are its most in a Big Ten recreation since tallying 357 yards on the bottom within the group’s 9-OT win at Penn State on Oct. 23, 2021.
• Illinois’ 225 speeding yards are its most in a Big Ten house recreation since totaling 430 yards on the bottom in opposition to Minnesota on Nov. 3, 2018.
• Illinois held Maryland out of the top zone, forcing the Terps to kick two discipline objectives within the pink zone.
• The Illini have now prevented a landing in three video games this season, all at house.

Player Notes

• Luke Altmyer completed with 172 passing yards and two landing passes whereas speeding  for 62 yards on 11 carries.

  • Became the primary Illini in historical past with back-to-back seasons of 20+ landing passes.
  • Tied with Juice Williams (2006-09) for second-most landing passes in program historical past (56).
  • Had a number of landing passes for the seventh time this season and for the third consecutive recreation.
  • Eclipsed 7,000 profession passing yards, the seventh Illini in historical past to succeed in the milestone.

• Hudson Clement hauled in three catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns.

  • Posted the third multi-touchdown recreation of his profession, and his first as an Illini.
  • Hauled in his second and third receiving touchdowns of the season and the eleventh and twelfth such scores of his profession.
  • Has a landing catch in back-to-back video games.

• Kaden Feagin completed with 81 yards on 14 carries and a speeding rating.

  • Sixth speeding landing this season and eleventh of his profession.

• Matthew Bailey led the Illini protection with 10 tackles (8 solo).

  • Bailey’s 10 tackles marked a season excessive, whereas his 8 solo stops have been probably the most of his profession.
  • He has 4 video games in his profession with double-digit tackles, all coming inside his final 17 video games.

• Gabe Jacas tallied two whole tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 0.5 tackles for loss.

  • Tied Scott Davis (1983-87) for second in program historical past with 23.0 sacks.
  • Combined with Pat Farrell for Maryland’s fourth sack allowed this season.

• Miles Scott secured an interception on the finish of the second quarter whereas making 5 tackles.

  • Made his first interception of the season and the fifth of his profession.

POSTGAME QUOTES

Head Coach Bret Bielema

Opening Statement: “We’re tremendous excited, clearly we did not play a clear recreation for 4 quarters, however did sufficient to win. I assumed going into this week we simply wanted to have what I name ‘November 1-0 mentality’, only a every day give attention to getting higher. The solely means we are able to get to Saturday is to deal with Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. We did not play clear that first half however I actually favored the best way they responded. I assumed our offense got here out in that second half and took that first drive for a rating. We had some bumps within the highway, however I assumed the sport actually flipped on that fourth down cease. They had first and purpose contained in the 5 yard line and our protection actually rose to the problem there, it was a extremely good second for them. 

Offensively, we did sufficient issues to place the sport away. Even simply the little issues, David Olano’s kick made it a three-score recreation on the finish, which actually modified the dynamics from there on out. Super excited in regards to the win, James went out early, I do know he acquired hit within the head, it did not seem like it was something excessive however he wasn’t capable of return. Aidan Laughery, he was cleared, I do not know if he acquired in immediately, he wasn’t actually into the movement of follow till Thursday or Friday so we should always have him again going ahead. We’ve acquired a troublesome opponent subsequent week. I do know Wisconsin had a setback immediately, however they’ve been enjoying superb down the stretch right here. Obviously, we all know a bit of bit about that place so we’ll go up there and see what we are able to do. 

Super excited to be a 7-3 soccer group, I do know we want we have been 10-0 however these three setbacks we needed to study from. I assumed they’ve performed a superb job. Kind of like final 12 months, we have simply acquired to maintain sawing wooden, we are able to solely benefit from immediately. We’re a superb soccer group that hopefully will get higher each week and this weekend has been one other step in the suitable path.”

On Ca’Lil Valentine having again to again video games with greater than 200 yards:  “For me, personally, I believe Ca’Lil Valentine simply continues to take steps ahead. I assumed Kaden Feagin for the reason that first bye week, the best way he is been working in follow, and even in opposition to Rutgers, I do know he tried to bounce that one, however I simply suppose he is actually continued to take a step ahead. I felt all alongside that these three working backs have been fairly good however the best way our offensive line performed immediately was additionally fairly inspiring. I assumed they lined guys up after which we acquired Luke [Altmyer] in there for the run recreation as properly. It makes it arduous to defend these varieties of men. 

The emergence of enjoying constant soccer, I can not say sufficient about Barry Lunney Jr. I do know that we’re on tempo to interrupt a file for factors scored and he is only a actually assured play caller. He’s acquired numerous instruments round him, clearly having a three-year beginning quarterback helps out so much, however I could not say sufficient about Barry and our whole offensive employees doing an ideal job placing that recreation plan collectively.”

On Luke Altmyer’s improvisational means: “He does a lot of crazy things. Also, some of those designed runs make the defense defend an extra person, he just thrives off of it. When Ca’Lil [Valentine] got that holding call, I was letting some people know my opinion on that and he was all fired up. He gets really feisty and I think that’s the part that other people, as we get further into this thing, the good part is he’s playing really good football and the bad part is that he’s in his final phase of playing for us. I have to really enjoy these moments while we have the time together, but I tell our seniors all the time that I’m trying to prepare them for the moment when I’m not with you. I’m not going to be with you in that next phase when you go to the NFL. Those guys need to understand the urgency that they have, especially in the latter part of the season. In college football, in November, especially the starting quarterback, that’s when you’re really defined. Luke’s ability to play down the stretch is a really big deal.”

On analytics, recreation administration and dealing with Ben Miller: “Ben Miller was our visitor captain immediately and he and I’ve now been collectively for 5 years. This is his third 12 months within the analyst position. He has the ebook and I am going by means of the analytics with him. I do not go 100% by the analytics, however we use them, after which I get a really feel for the place we’re at and what we’re doing. From the primary drive, he is giving me what the ebook says on offense. On protection, he takes the ebook and makes use of it as if he is the opposing offense, so we all know after they’re prone to go for it on fourth down. It’s superior math, but it surely’s additionally really feel and understanding.

On that exact fourth-and-one-and-a-half name, I requested Barry [Lunney] if he felt good in regards to the name. He stated sure. We felt nice in regards to the angles. Two of our greatest gamers have been concerned. Good coaches put their finest gamers in nice positions, and he does that routinely. The outcomes communicate for themselves for the final two video games.”

Luke Altmyer

On if he informed the teaching employees he might run or they requested him to do it: “Team effort, for sure. There’s weeks, days, where I’m like yeah, I can really supplement this game with my legs, and he feels the same way some weeks, obviously trying to protect me. Those are big shots. And sometimes I take on those runs, and it’s quite honestly probably been the reason I haven’t really been in that action a whole lot earlier in the season, just protecting my body a little bit, that’s understandable. But I’m a competitor, that’s a tool that I have in my game. God’s gifted me with great ability to run, and so I kind of do whatever it takes to win, and that’s what we’re doing here late in the season, because it’s hard to win in this league in November. It’ll be hard to defend, I’m certainly going to the coaches, all ideas possible to create a positive place for it.”

On how he views his final stretch of faculty soccer: “I’m just grateful and very thankful for my time here. I’m just trying to play well, I’m trying to do my job. Bottom line is I went out there and played four quarters of football and I needed to play well for us to win, and that’s the bottom line. I compete at a high level. I throw my body around, I love the pain of the game, I just try to do my best, but me thinking ahead to what’s next in the future and down the line after this season will only hinder me from playing my best football in a four quarter game. Especially this late in the season. It’s tough to win. Especially when you’re about to go on the road to Wisconsin and going to play a rival game here to finish it out. I’m aware that it’s coming to an end, and I’m being intentional about my relationships, and every single snap that I get on that field, looking around sometimes, appreciating the fans, appreciating my teammates, and throwing my body around, that’s what I’ll miss most.”

Hudson Clement

On his pair of touchdowns: “Yeah, the first one was just a double-move, out and up. We watched film during the week and saw that these guys like to jump routes, so we figured an out and up to the field would work. He ended up biting on it, Luke [Altmyer] threw a great ball and we connected on it. That was that. The other one was just a fake block for a screen to Hank [Beatty]  and then I released up the sideline. They bit on that one again, it was open, and Luke threw a great ball again. So, you know, we just executed.”

On Barry Lunney Jr.: “Really good play caller, really good dude. Love him to death. He puts us in great plays and great situations to execute them. At the end of the day, it’s not always about the play call, it’s about us executing it, but he puts us in great situations. He’s a leader. Whether it’s with his feet, with his arm, talking to guys on the sideline, he’s a leader. And we’re happy to have him. He’s got a competitive streak. You see it, getting gritty on the ground, getting those extra yards. The whole team sees it. Lots of guys slide or whatever, but you can tell that competitive nature comes out.”

Matthew Bailey

On the id of the Illinois protection: “Yeah, it is arduous to not say robust, good, reliable. I imply, it is what they preach on a regular basis. I want I might discover a higher one for you however I imply, that is really what it’s. We’re making an attempt to be robust in all phases, mentally or bodily, by means of the lengthy drives, or by means of understanding the scenario finish of half, finish of recreation, all these various things. That form of transitions into being good, being conscious, after which being reliable and simply having the man in your proper, the man in your left and trusting them that they are gonna do their finest, and in the end you bought to do your finest.

On Aaron Henry conserving the protection collectively: “That’s just the dude he is. He’s a great personality guy, he’s someone that cares about you personally, he’s a great character. He emphasizes being together. A saying is like: the team that can stay the closest, or the team that can get the closest in today’s era with the transfer portal and all of those things, they will be the most successful, and so ultimately he’s that staple, he’s easy to follow, easy to get around, or to believe in, so I think that plays a role in these ups and downs.”

Dylan Rosiek

On how the protection slowed down Maryland’s quarterback, Malik Washington: “That’s a great player, I think he will continue to develop and I think he could be a really great player in this conference. But we did do some good things to slow him down, and they didn’t try all that much to get him going in the run game, but when they did, you know we had the answers there. We were able to execute it and it didn’t turn into something big.”

On if he takes in his closing video games in another way: “Yeah, no doubt. I was taking it all in after the game today. I was just walking around, looking at the lights and everything. It was just like, what a tremendous opportunity that I’ve been blessed to be a part of. Coming into the program, where it was, and even just the atmosphere today, when you showed up in 2022, that was not what you got. What Coach B is building and what this team is building is just an awesome thing to be a part of. The gratitude to have a little small piece in that. A lot of people don’t get the opportunity to play college football, and so, a lot of gratitude these past few weeks, and just finding every opportunity to spend time with my brothers.”