Luke Altmyer threw 4 landing passes within the first half to spark Illinois to a 45-0 nonconference victory over Jap Illinois Thursday evening in Champaign.
Altmyer, a junior, completed 19 of 24 for 213 yards and the 4 scores as Illinois (1-0) constructed a 31-0 halftime lead on the way in which to enhancing to 4-0 in openers underneath head coach Bret Bielema. Kaden Feagin rushed for 108 yards and a landing whereas free security Miles Scott compelled a fumble and picked off a cross to steer a protection that compelled 4 turnovers and allowed simply 196 whole yards.
Jap Illinois (0-1) entered the season simply exterior the FCS prime 25 ballot, however preseason Huge South/OVC Offensive Participant of the Yr Pierce Holley accomplished simply 16 of 32 passes for 147 yards and two interceptions.
The Panthers loved their greatest drive the primary time that they had the ball, however Scott compelled a Jay Pearson fumble that Seth Coleman recovered at Illinois’ 23. That ended an eight-play, 60-yard drive and sparked a 77-yard scoring drive capped by Altmyer’s 15-yard strike to Pat Bryant with 4:4:15 left within the first.
The Illini began their subsequent drive on EIU’s 25 due to Mac Resetich’s 30-yard punt return. 4 snaps later, Altmyer flipped a 5-yard landing cross to tight finish Tanner Arkin to make it 14-0 with 43 seconds left within the opening quarter.
Scott’s interception on the primary play of the second quarter arrange David Olano’s 26-yard discipline purpose that pushed the margin to 17-0.
Cornerback Torrie Cox Jr.’s interception in EIU territory triggered one other fast rating. Altmyer lobbed a 28-yard bomb to Bryant within the nook of the tip zone to provide Illinois 17 factors off turnovers and a 24-0 lead with 4:13 left within the half.
Altmyer made it 31-0 with 1:30 left within the half when wideout Malik Elzy beat man-to-man protection on a fly sample and hauled in Altmyer’s 34-yard bomb.
Feagin’s 1-yard landing blast elevated Illinois’ result in 38-0 with 7:04 left within the third, then Josh McCray added a 6-yard scoring blast early within the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
–Discipline Degree Media
