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Luke Altmyer's four touchdown passes leads Illinois past Eastern Illinois 45-0
CHAMPAIGN, Ill (AP) Luke Altmyer threw for 213 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to lead Illinois to a 45-0 victory over Eastern Illinois on Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.
Altmyer spread the wealth while completing 19 of 24 passes. Eleven receivers caught passes, three for touchdowns. Pat Bryant had two TD catches, giving him 11 for his career. Malik Elzy and Tanner Arkin also caught TD passes.
“I’m not ready to announce Luke Altmyer as a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, but he did a lot of positive things,” said Illinois coach Bret Bielema.
Kaden Feagin led Illinois’ rushing attack with 16 carries for 108 yards. It was his first career 100-yard game. He ran for a touchdown and so did Josh McCray. Aidan Laughery ran for 79 yards on 10 carries.
Illinois scored on all five of its trips to the red zone, out gained Eastern Illinois 486-196, and had 27 first downs to the Panthers’ nine.
Four Eastern Illinois turnovers were turned into 24 points. Miles Scott caused a fumble and had an interception.
“Overall, we played a pretty clean game, but there’s a lot of things we need to get cleaned up,” Bielema said.
It was 31-0 at halftime.
Eastern Illinois had a promising opening drive, but Scott forced a fumble by running back Jay Pearson and Seth Coleman recovered on the Illini 23.
That turned out to be the Panthers’ deepest penetration into Illini territory until late in the third quarter, when Dylan Rosiek chased down Eastern Illinois receiver DeAirious Smith after a pass completion, Smith fumbled, and Kaleb Patterson recovered on the Illini 13.
“We led the FCS in turnover margin last year. Tonight, we turned the ball over four times and Illinois didn’t have a turnover. That was a problem for us,” said Eastern Illinois coach Chris Wilkerson.
“A positive note for us was how we protected our quarterback. That was an issue for us last year. We only allowed one sack against an excellent Illinois defensive front.”
Altmyer threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Bryant following Coleman’s fumble recovery. That came on the play after an apparent Altmyer-to-Zakhari Franklin touchdown pass was ruled incomplete and confirmed by a video replay after a challenge by Illinois.
THE TAKEAWAY
This wasn’t much of a test for Illinois, which moved at will on offense behind Altmyer’s pinpoint passing and never allowed Eastern Illinois quarterback Pierce Holley, the preseason Big South/OVC Offensive Player of the Year, to get comfortable. Holley completed 14 of 29 passes for 127 yards and was intercepted twice. Eastern Illinois came into the season with high hopes for winning its conference championship and making it into the FCS playoffs. The Panthers will need to lick their wounds after being being overwhelmed by Illinois and refocus on those goals.
THREE YEARS LATER
Zakhari Franklin had two catches for 28 yards in his Illinois debut. Back in 2021, Franklin had 10 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown against Illinois when Texas-San Antonio stunned the Illini 37-30. Franklin transferred to Ole Miss last season and to Illinois this summer.
FIFTY-ONE YEARS AGO
The 45-point margin was Illinois’ largest shutout win since 1973.
DOMINATION
Illinois is now 4-0 in season openers under Bielema, 19-0 all-time vs. FCS opponents and 3-0 all-time vs. Eastern Illinois. Bielema’s previous opening game wins came against Nebraska, Wyoming and Toledo.
UP NEXT
Illinois: vs. No. 22 Kansas on Sept. 7.
Eastern Illinois: vs. Indiana State on Sept. 7.--- Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
D. Smith
6 WR 63 ReYds, 5 RECs |
|
L. Altmyer
9 QB 213 PaYds, 4 PaTDs, 27 RuYds |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 10 | 26 |
Rushing | 1 | 10 |
Passing | 6 | 13 |
Penalty | 3 | 3 |
3rd Down Conv | 3-12 | 5-10 |
4th Down Conv | 0-1 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 196 | 486 |
Total Plays | 54 | 71 |
Avg Gain | 3.6 | 6.8 |
Net Yards Rushing | 49 | 244 |
Rush Attempts | 22 | 42 |
Avg Rush Yards | 2.2 | 5.8 |
Yards Passing | 147 | 242 |
Comp. - Att. | 16-32 | 21-29 |
Yards Per Pass | 4.3 | 8.3 |
Penalties - Yards | 6-50 | 6-45 |
Touchdowns | 0 | 6 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 2 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 4 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 2-2 | 1-0 |
Int. Thrown | 2 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 7-42.3 | 4-39.0 |
Return Yards | 0 | 44 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 4-43 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 2-1 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
P. Holley
3 QB
|
P. Holley | 16/32 | 147 | 0 | 2 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
M. Flowers
4 RB
|
M. Flowers | 9 | 28 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Pearson
21 RB
|
J. Pearson | 6 | 20 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Mirza
7 WR
|
E. Mirza | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Young
29 RB
|
K. Young | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Holley
3 QB
|
P. Holley | 3 | -4 | 0 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Smith
6 WR
|
D. Smith | 11 | 5 | 63 | 0 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Mirza
7 WR
|
E. Mirza | 4 | 3 | 38 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Nelson
2 WR
|
C. Nelson | 3 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Willman
13 WR
|
C. Willman | 4 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Pearson
21 RB
|
J. Pearson | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Young
29 RB
|
K. Young | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Flowers
4 RB
|
M. Flowers | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. Horvath
93 P
|
J. Horvath | 7 | 42.3 | 2 | 49 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
L. Altmyer
9 QB
|
L. Altmyer | 19/24 | 213 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Leary
10 QB
|
D. Leary | 2/5 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
K. Feagin
3 RB
|
K. Feagin | 16 | 108 | 1 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Laughery
21 RB
|
A. Laughery | 10 | 79 | 0 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Altmyer
9 QB
|
L. Altmyer | 3 | 27 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McCray
6 RB
|
J. McCray | 5 | 13 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Anderson
23 RB
|
J. Anderson | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
P. Bryant
13 WR
|
P. Bryant | 5 | 5 | 63 | 2 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Elzy
8 WR
|
M. Elzy | 3 | 2 | 51 | 1 | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Hollins
2 WR
|
A. Hollins | 2 | 2 | 40 | 0 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Franklin
4 WR
|
Z. Franklin | 5 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Wilcher
7 WR
|
K. Wilcher | 2 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Laughery
21 RB
|
A. Laughery | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Dixon
17 WR
|
C. Dixon | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Arkin
85 TE
|
T. Arkin | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McCray
6 RB
|
J. McCray | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Beatty
80 WR
|
H. Beatty | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Capka-Jones
15 WR
|
A. Capka-Jones | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Boyer
88 TE
|
H. Boyer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Anderson
23 RB
|
J. Anderson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
M. Scott
10 DB
|
M. Scott | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Rosiek
28 LB
|
D. Rosiek | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Cox Jr.
5 DB
|
T. Cox Jr. | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
D. Olano
24 K
|
D. Olano | 1/1 | 26 | 6/6 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
H. Robertson
19 P
|
H. Robertson | 4 | 39.0 | 3 | 44 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Resetich 26 DB
|
M. Resetich | 4 | 10.8 | 30 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:37 | EIL 17 | 3:10 | 8 | 60 | Fumble |
4:15 | EIL 5 | 1:43 | 3 | 4 | Punt |
0:43 | EIL 25 | 0:48 | 2 | 2 | INT |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:10 | EIL 15 | 1:32 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
6:31 | EIL 20 | 1:40 | 4 | 11 | INT |
4:13 | EIL 25 | 1:44 | 3 | 3 | Punt |
1:30 | EIL 25 | 1:24 | 3 | 9 | Punt |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | EIL 25 | 3:16 | 6 | 5 | Punt |
7:04 | EIL 25 | 3:46 | 8 | 62 | Fumble |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:51 | EIL 25 | 0:53 | 3 | 0 | Punt |
10:15 | EIL 16 | 2:11 | 6 | 26 | Punt |
1:53 | EIL 7 | 1:53 | 5 | 22 | Game |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | ILL 25 | 2:23 | 5 | 20 | Punt |
9:27 | ILL 23 | 5:12 | 10 | 77 | TD |
2:32 | EIL 25 | 1:49 | 4 | 25 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:55 | ILL 39 | 4:45 | 10 | 53 | FG |
8:38 | EIL 45 | 2:07 | 3 | 1 | Punt |
4:51 | EIL 29 | 0:38 | 2 | 29 | TD |
2:29 | ILL 33 | 0:59 | 4 | 67 | TD |
0:06 | ILL 25 | 0:06 | 1 | -2 | Half |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:44 | ILL 14 | 4:40 | 9 | 86 | TD |
3:18 | ILL 13 | 4:27 | 9 | 87 | TD |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:58 | ILL 26 | 2:43 | 6 | 17 | Punt |
8:04 | ILL 14 | 6:11 | 9 | 46 | Punt |
- Punt (5 plays, 20 yards, 2:23 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) J.Patino kicks 65 yards from EIL 35 to the ILL End Zone. Touchback. |
+9 YD | 1 & 10 - ILL 25 (15:00 - 1st) A.Laughery rushed for 9 yards. Tackled by EIL at ILL 34. |
+7 YD | 2 & 1 - ILL 34 (14:32 - 1st) L.Altmyer pass complete. Catch made by A.Laughery for 7 yards. Tackled by EIL at ILL 41. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - ILL 41 (14:00 - 1st) A.Laughery rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by EIL at ILL 43. |
+2 YD | 2 & 8 - ILL 43 (13:39 - 1st) A.Laughery rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by EIL at ILL 45. |
No Gain | 3 & 6 - ILL 45 (12:47 - 1st) L.Altmyer steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for Z.Franklin. |
Punt | 4 & 6 - ILL 45 (12:43 - 1st) H.Robertson punts 38 yards to EIL 17 Center-ILL. Fair catch by C.Willman. |
- Fumble (8 plays, 60 yards, 3:10 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
No Gain | 1 & 10 - EIL 17 (12:37 - 1st) M.Flowers rushed for yards. Tackled by ILL at EIL 15. PENALTY on ILL-G.Jacas Defensive Offside 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
No Gain | 1 & 5 - EIL 22 (12:22 - 1st) P.Holley steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for M.Flowers. |
+2 YD | 2 & 5 - EIL 22 (12:19 - 1st) M.Flowers rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by ILL at EIL 24. |
+3 YD | 3 & 3 - EIL 24 (11:45 - 1st) P.Holley pass complete. Catch made by E.Mirza for 3 yards. Tackled by ILL at EIL 27. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - EIL 27 (11:05 - 1st) P.Holley steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Willman. |
+11 YD | 2 & 10 - EIL 27 (10:59 - 1st) M.Flowers rushed for 11 yards. Tackled by ILL at EIL 38. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - EIL 38 (10:20 - 1st) P.Holley pass complete. Catch made by J.Pearson for 7 yards. Tackled by ILL at EIL 45. |
+27 YD | 2 & 3 - EIL 45 (9:51 - 1st) P.Holley pass complete. Catch made by E.Mirza for 27 yards. Tackled by ILL at ILL 28. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - ILL 28 (9:32 - 1st) J.Pearson rushed for 5 yards. J.Pearson FUMBLES forced by M.Scott. Fumble RECOVERED by ILL-S.Coleman at ILL 23. Tackled by EIL at ILL 23. |
- Touchdown (10 plays, 77 yards, 5:12 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+12 YD | 1 & 10 - ILL 23 (9:27 - 1st) L.Altmyer pass complete. Catch made by Z.Franklin for 12 yards. Tackled by EIL at ILL 35. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - ILL 35 (9:06 - 1st) K.Feagin rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by EIL at ILL 38. |
+3 YD | 2 & 7 - ILL 38 (8:27 - 1st) K.Feagin rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by EIL at ILL 41. |
+8 YD | 3 & 4 - ILL 41 (7:43 - 1st) L.Altmyer pass complete. Catch made by P.Bryant for 8 yards. Tackled by EIL at ILL 49. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - ILL 49 (7:00 - 1st) L.Altmyer pass complete. Catch made by P.Bryant for 0 yards. Tackled by EIL at ILL 49. |
+29 YD | 2 & 10 - ILL 49 (6:43 - 1st) K.Feagin rushed for 29 yards. Tackled by EIL at EIL 22. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - EIL 22 (6:12 - 1st) K.Feagin rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by EIL at EIL 17. |
+7 YD | 2 & 5 - EIL 17 (5:31 - 1st) L.Altmyer pass complete. Catch made by K.Wilcher for 7 yards. Tackled by EIL at EIL 10. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - EIL 10 (4:47 - 1st) PENALTY on ILL-J.Gesky False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
No Gain | 1 & 15 - EIL 15 (4:26 - 1st) L.Altmyer steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for Z.Franklin. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion and the play was upheld. |
+15 YD | 2 & 15 - EIL 15 (4:21 - 1st) L.Altmyer pass complete. Catch made by P.Bryant for 15 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
PAT Good | (4:15 - 1st) D.Olano extra point is good. |