Tag: Fighting Illini

Sep 28, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Purdue looks to extend hex over No. 23 Illinois

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Illinois has resided in the AP Top 25 for the past few weeks, is coming off a bye week and surely is looking forward to playing on its home field for the first time in a month.

Purdue has lost in each of the last four weeks by a combined 140 points, fired offensive coordinator Graham Harrell after a 10-point showing vs. Nebraska at home on Sept. 28 and has lost commitments from some top high school recruits.

This all sounds promising for No. 23 Illinois (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten), which enters Saturday afternoon’s conference game vs. Purdue (1-4, 0-2) in Champaign, Ill., as a double-digit favorite. However, recognize that everyone on both sides understands Purdue has beaten Illinois each of the last four years to maintain possession of the Purdue Cannon that goes to the yearly victor.

“Never had it, never saw it, never touched it, never smelled it,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “I’ve never been able to hold that Cannon, right? So until it’s in our hands, all we can do is talk about it and see pictures of it.”

Now, throw in the fact that Purdue head coach Ryan Walters served as Bielema’s defensive coordinator for two seasons before getting the top job for the Boilermakers in in December 2022 — and there will be no taking anybody lightly on Saturday.

“Obviously, (I have) a lot of respect for Ryan and his staff,” Bielema said. “I know a lot of those guys on a personal level. I think I know what this game is going to mean to them and to their players … and, hopefully, the best team wins on Saturday.”

“I expect them to come out guns blazing,” Walters said. “Last year didn’t go their way, so I’m sure that’s being replayed and reminded. I fully expect to get their best shot. They’ve had an extra week to prepare as well. Coach ‘B’ does a great job during bye weeks in presenting new wrinkles and new personnels, so I fully expect to see things we haven’t seen on tape yet.”

Purdue’s issues are all over the tape. Last week at Wisconsin, the Boilermakers surrendered 52 points and 589 yards. The Badgers outscored Purdue 31-0 in the second half.

“We are struggling to play from behind,” Walters said. “For some reason, it kind of snowballs when things don’t go our way. I’ve got to do a better job of giving them emotional answers of how to respond when we’re behind or when things aren’t going our way. Right now, when we get behind, we tend to hit the panic button, and there’s no need to.

“The main culprit Saturday was (our defensive backs’) eye discipline was awful,” Walters added. “We’re not getting the quarterback out of the pocket, either. He’s been able to sit back there and kind of wait. Then, when the ball’s in open space, there are angles to get the ball(carrier) down. And the technique with which we’re tackling was awful on Saturday. So that’s got to be addressed and has been addressed.”

For Illinois, Luke Altmyer has starred at quarterback this season, completing 70 percent of his passes for 1,047 yards, with 11 touchdowns against just one interception. His passing efficiency rating (164) ranks sixth in the Big Ten.

His counterpart, Hudson Card, is 71-for-112 (63.4 percent) for 738 yards, seven TDs and four picks.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) warms up before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Luke Altmyer, No. 19 Illinois out to upend No. 9 Penn State

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It’s not unexpected to see No. 9 Penn State bolt out to a 3-0 start entering Big Ten Conference play.

On the other hand, Illinois getting off to a 4-0 start and earning a No. 19 ranking in this week’s Associated Press poll probably wasn’t on too many bingo cards a month ago.

That makes the teams’ meeting Saturday night in State College, Pa. a big game, particularly for the Fighting Illini. After opening conference play last weekend with a 31-24 overtime victory at Nebraska, they’d love nothing more than to take down one of the preseason favorites.

“When you get into Big Ten play, it’s different, and Illinois has done a really good job,” Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said. “They’re a physical bunch. The quarterback is playing at a high level.”

Which is a big reason why the Illini are surpassing most preseason expectations. Luke Altmyer has thrown for 10 touchdowns in four games after managing just 13 scoring strikes last year. Most importantly, he’s not been intercepted in 105 passes this season after being picked off 10 times in 2023.

Altmyer’s 71.4 percent completion rate is the best of his career and he’s improved his yards per attempt by more than one. Add on a balanced rushing attack and a defense that resembles the one of two years ago that enabled Illinois to contend, and you have a team that fourth-year coach Bret Bielema can believe in.

“Defensively, we get better as the game goes along,” Bielema said.

Case in point: how Illinois ended the win at Nebraska. After Altmyer fired the go-ahead touchdown pass on the Illini’s overtime possession, they sacked Dylan Raiola on first, second and fourth down to seal the outcome.

Now comes, at least on paper, another step up in class. Penn State’s offense has looked much-improved in the early going, getting more big plays to complement what appears to be another solid defense. It rolled to a 56-0 win last week against hapless Kent State, allowing just 66 total yards.

New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki stressed creating more chunk plays, and that’s what’s happened. Quarterback Drew Allar is averaging a whopping 17.8 yards per completion and running back Nicholas Singleton is averaging a robust 8.5 yards per rush, compiling 314 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“The quarterback can’t work through his progression if we’re not playing well up front,” Franklin said. “That plays a part in the quarterback being able to attack the entire field.”

Franklin said the Illinois pass rush is a concern. The Illini will need to pressure Allar because he has capable receivers all over the field, beginning with tight end Tyler Warren, who’s on pace to catch 64 passes. Wideouts Omari Evans and Harrison Wallace are combining to average nearly 22 yards per catch.

This is Illinois’ first visit to Beaver Stadium since it won an NCAA-record nine-overtime game in 2021 on a two-point conversion pass from Brandon Peters to Casey Washington. The Nittany Lions own a 21-6 lead in the all-time series, winning last year in Champaign 30-13.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) hands the ball off to running back Dante Dowdell (23) for a touchdown run against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Resurgent No. 22 Nebraska, No. 24 Illinois clash in Big Ten opener

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For the first time since October 2011, No. 22 Nebraska and No. 24 Illinois find themselves listed in the same Associated Press Top 25 poll. They’ll meet in a Big Ten opener Friday night in Lincoln, Neb., to decide which team gets to stay there.

The Cornhuskers (3-0) are off to their best start since 2016 — their most recent bowl season — while the Illini are 3-0 for the first time since 2011.

After cruising through their respective non-conference schedules, both teams will get a much better picture of their might while they clash in front of Nebraska’s 400th consecutive home sellout.

“To have two big teams ranked on a Friday night game is a little bit unusual,” said Illinois coach Bret Bielema, who has his program in the polls for just the second time in the last 13 years. “It doesn’t happen all the time. To see it play out and be a part of it is awesome. Give a lot of credit to their team and what they’ve accomplished to this point. I told our guys to continue to keep our focus, our mentality, and see where it can go.”

The Huskers have three blowouts under their belt — they led at halftime against UTEP, Colorado and Northern Iowa by a combined score of 79-10 — but head coach Matt Rhule hasn’t been overly impressed yet.

“I think any time you don’t punt in the game, you feel pretty good,” Rhule said. “So I felt pretty good about what we did Saturday offensively (against Northern Iowa). But that was all preseason to me. Now the season starts. We’ll find out where we are. This will be such a different challenge playing against these guys.”

The Illini enter Friday’s game tied for second nationally in turnover margin (+8) and tied for fifth in turnovers forced (9). Defensive back Xavier Scott is one of four FBS players with at least 3 interceptions through three games, and he has forced four turnovers overall.

But Scott and company haven’t faced a passer like Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola. Even on the rare occasions when the pass rush has forced him to improvise, the five-star freshman has appeared unflappable while completing 73.8 percent of his passes for 670 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception.

“He brings a different element immediately,” Bielema said. “He’s a very talented young man that’s got a great deep ball throw. They maximize him pretty well. There’s some things you can literally see him get better on every series — just very impressive to see.”

Rhule seems eager to find out how Raiola will handle an Illinois group that ranks 12th nationally in pass efficiency defense (an 87.98 rating versus Raiola’s 162.22).

“They’ve altered a lot of what they’re doing,” said Rhule, noting how Illinois second-year defensive coordinator Aaron Henry has been using more disguises this season. “They’ll show man and play Cover 2. They’ll show man and play zone. With a young quarterback, he’s got to recognize because they don’t show it to you. He’s got to recognize zone on the snap. And they’re taking the ball away at a high level.”

On the flip side, Bielema wants to see his rushing attack be more reliable. The Illini’s quartet of backs have been satisfactory (153.3 yards per game), but Illinois hasn’t faced anything like the Huskers’ defense, which surrenders just 2.5 yards per carry and 70.3 rushing yards per game.

“If we’re going to win in the Big Ten, we’re going to have to run the ball in certain situations,” Bielema said. “I think the greatest definition of a team is a team that can run the ball effectively when they want to run it against good competition.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) runs the ball against Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Alexander Smith (11) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Big fourth quarter vaults Wisconsin over Illinois

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Redshirt freshman Braedyn Locke, in his first collegiate start, hit lineman Nolan Rucci with a 3-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds remaining as the Wisconsin Badgers rallied to beat Illinois 25-21 in a Big Ten West matchup Saturday in Champaign, Ill.

Locke, a transfer from Mississippi State but never played there, started in place of injured Tanner Mordecai, who broke his throwing hand in last week’s loss to Iowa. The Badgers scored 18 points in the fourth quarter.

Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten), which trailed 21-7 after three quarters, pulled within 21-18 with scores on consecutive drives in the fourth quarter. Nathanial Vakos kicked a 41-yard field goal with 14:13 left to play, and Locke hit Will Pauling on a 20-yard touchdown reception, plus the two-point conversion.

The Badgers forced a punt and took over on their own 17-yard line with 3:24 remaining. Locke hit Skyler Bell deep up the left side for 30 yards and a first down on the Illinois 5 with 1:06 remaining. Two running plays picked up two yards, and Locke then found Rucci uncovered in the left side of the end zone.

Wisconsin moved back atop the Big Ten West with Iowa’s 12-10 loss to Minnesota on Saturday, but the Badgers host third-ranked Ohio State on Oct. 28.

Locke completed 21 of 41 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Braelon Allen ran for 145 yards and one score on 29 carries.

Luke Altmyer, a sophomore transfer from Ole Miss, completed 13 of 21 passes for 100 yards, including touchdowns of 1 and 3 yards to stake Illinois (3-5, 1-4) to a 14-0 lead. He also ran for 100 yards.

Kaden Faegin’s 12-yard touchdown run around the right end put the Illini up 21-7 with 4:30 left in the third quarter.

The Badgers threatened midway through the second quarter, but botched a 28-yard field goal attempt. Illinois responded with a 12-play, 82-yard scoring drive, capped by Altmyer’s 3-yard pass to Tip Reiman to make it 14-0.

Wisconsin answered with a 73-yard drive, pulling within 14-7 on Allen’s 4-yard run with 31 seconds remaining in the half. Locke completed 4 of 6 passes for 66 yards on the drive.

Illinois capitalized on a fumble by Locke for its first score. Altmyer hit Tanner Arkin wide open in the right flat for a 1-yard touchdown pass to cap the 54-yard drive.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins linebacker Fa'Najae Gotay (9) sacks Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) during the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois edges Maryland on field goal as time expires

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Caleb Griffin drilled a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift Illinois to a 27-24 win over Maryland on a dreary homecoming Saturday in College Park, Md.

Griffin’s kick capped a seven-play, 50-yard drive that featured a critical 29-yard pass from Luke Altmyer to Casey Washington down the left sideline to move the ball to the Terrapins’ 42-yard line with a minute to go. Altmyer found Aidan Laughery for 12 yards on the following play before the quarterback netted five more yards on three straight runs to set up Griffin’s game-winner.

Altmyer finished 16-for-28 for 206 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Illinois (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten). Washington hauled in four passes for 60 yards, while Laughery’s clutch catch was his only reception of the day.

Taulia Tagovailoa hit on 27 of 39 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns for Maryland (5-2, 2-2), which has lost two straight.

The Fighting Illini fell behind 14-7 in the second quarter before the Terrapins’ first lost fumble of the season changed the picture considerably.

After catching a 27-yard touchdown on Maryland’s previous possession, Kaden Prather fumbled at the Illinois 27-yard line with under two minutes left in the second quarter. The Fighting Illini benefitted from two Terrapins’ personal fouls on the ensuing possession and drove to the Maryland 2-yard line before facing a fourth-and-one.

Illinois initially sent out its field goal team but ran the offense back onto the field following a Maryland timeout. Kaden Feagin’s 2-yard touchdown plunge evened the halftime score at 14-14.

Feagin churned out 84 yards on 19 carries to complement his touchdown.

The Fighting Illini successfully double-dipped when they recovered Maryland’s surprise onside kick to begin the second half and jumped ahead 21-14 on Isaiah Williams’ 15-yard touchdown catch at the 10:33 mark in the third quarter. Griffin’s 40-yard field goal pushed Illinois’ advantage to 10 points.

The Terrapins responded when Antwain Littleton II muscled his way in for a 4-yard touchdown on the final play of the quarter to slice Maryland’s deficit to 24-21.

Illinois’ offense stalled in the fourth quarter, going three-and-out on its first three possessions. Tagovalioa guided the Terps 38 yards on six plays to set up Jack Howes’ game-tying 48-yard boot with 1:31 to go before Altmyer and Griffin’s heroics.

The Fighting Illini jumped ahead 7-0 midway through the opening quarter when Altmyer hit Pat Bryant down the right sideline for a 44-yard touchdown. Bryant finished with three receptions and a team-high 61 receiving yards.

Altmyer threw his lone interception of the first half on Illinois’ next possession, which set up Maryland’s offense near midfield. Tagovailoa capitalized by finding Sean Greeley in the flat on fourth down for a 4-yard touchdown to even the score at 7-7 entering the second quarter.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) hands the ball to running back Anthony Grant (23) during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Cornhuskers go wire-to-wire, stifle Illinois’ rush attack

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Nebraska used its defense and special teams to beat Illinois 20-7 in a Big Ten Conference game Friday night in Champaign, Ill.

The Cornhuskers (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) forced a fumble, intercepted a pass, made two fourth-down stops — including one on the goal line — recovered a muffed kickoff and blocked a punt to beat the Illini for the first time since 2019. They also held Illinois (2-4, 0-3) to 21 rushing yards, the Illini’s lowest total in nearly four years.

Nebraska led 17-7 at the half, then extended the lead to 20-7 on a 32-yard Tristan Alvano field goal midway through the third. The score was set up by a fumble forced by Phalen Sanford and recovered by Griffin Moore in Illinois territory.

A blocked punt on the ensuing drive set the Cornhuskers up with great field position, but Alvano’s 36-yard field-goal attempt was wide. Nebraska then turned it over on three consecutive drives in the fourth quarter to keep the margin from being greater.

After stuffing Illinois on fourth-and-goal at the 1 on the game’s opening possession, Nebraska drove 86 yards and went up 3-0 on a 31-yard Alvano field goal late in the first quarter.

Another long drive ended in a touchdown for the Cornhuskers midway through the second, with Anthony Grant scoring on a 1-yard run. Two plays later it was 17-0 Nebraska following a muffed kickoff into a stiff wind and a 25-yard Heinrich Haarberg TD run.

Haarberg finished with 236 yards of total offense, throwing for 154 and rushing for 82.

Illinois got on the board with 1:31 left in the first half on a 46-yard TD pass from Luke Altmyer to Pat Bryant. Altmyer was 29 of 47 for 289 yards, completing passes to nine different targets, but had no support from a run game averaging more than 140 yards entering the night. He was picked off once.

Nebraska is off until hosting Northwestern on Oct. 21, while Illinois visits Maryland on Oct. 14.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs against the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska, Illinois seek change from similar slow starts

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Nebraska and host Illinois, each coming off blowout losses in Big Ten Conference play, face off on a short week on Friday night in Champaign, Ill.

Illinois (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) fell 44-19 at Purdue, while Nebraska (2-3, 0-2) was crushed 45-7 at home by No. 2 Michigan. Each is trying to avoid a 0-3 start in the conference for the first time since 2020 (for Illinois) and 2018 (for Nebraska), respectively.

“Nebraska is very similar to our situation,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “But I think this week is a lot about us.”

The Fighting Illini allowed a season-low 406 yards to Purdue but gave up 31 points on five red-zone possessions. For the season Illinois has yielded 23 scores on 26 trips inside its 20-yard line, compared to 23 on 31 all of 2022.

Nebraska came up scoreless in its two red-zone possessions against Michigan and has been inside the opposing 20 on only 12 occasions this season.

The Cornhuskers will continue to go with sophomore Heinrich Haarberg at quarterback, even with Jeff Sims getting closer to 100 percent following a high ankle sprain. Haarberg is Nebraska’s leading rusher (270 yards), but had minus-2 against Michigan, so there could be a splitting of snaps.

“I feel very confident with Heinrich being the starting quarterback,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “That being said, I also have a lot of confidence in Jeff. I’m getting them both ready. I have full confidence in Heinrich. I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

Illinois may again be without leading rusher Reggie Love III (44 carries, 248 yards), who sat out the last game with an ankle injury.

The Illini have won the last three meetings, including a 26-9 victory at Nebraska last October, but the Cornhuskers hold a 13-6-1 lead in the series. Nebraska’s last win in Champaign came in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) hands the ball off to Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) during the NCAA football game against the Syracuse Orange, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue, still seeking home win, prepare for division rival Illinois

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There should be more familiarity than usual between Illinois and Purdue when the teams meet for a Big Ten contest on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

First-year Purdue head coach Ryan Walters was hired to head the Boilermakers program after working as the defensive coordinator under Illinois head coach Bret Bielema.

“There is still a lot of familiarity,” Walters said. “Like, I can tell what I’m seeing on tape, and obviously I got to go against (Illinois offensive coordinator Barry) Lunney every day in practice for a spring and a fall. So there are similarities there, and also a lot of new faces in that program as well that I wasn’t there for.”

Purdue (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten) has lost all three of its home games so far this year.

The Boilermakers are coming off a 38-17 loss to Wisconsin last Friday. Hudson Card went 21-for-38 passing for 202 yards and threw two interceptions for Purdue.

Defense has been the biggest problem for Purdue, which has given up more than 35 points in each of its defeats.

Illinois (2-2, 0-1) is coming off a 23-17 home win last week over Florida Atlantic.

The Fighting Illini have some payback on their minds, given a home loss to Purdue last year cost Illinois a spot in the Big Ten championship game.

The win over Florida Atlantic might have been a good step forward for starting quarterback Luke Altmyer, who threw for 303 yards and a touchdown after struggling the first three games of the season.

Overall, Bielema said he likes the position his team is in as it faces its first Big Ten West opponent.

“I think we got a lot of depth,” Bielema said. “I don’t know if anything’s going to be pretty, but this group is going to play tough and gritty football.”

Purdue has dominated the series between the teams of late. The Boilermakers have won three in a row, six of the last seven and nine of the last 12 games over the Fighting Illini.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) runs the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois star RB Chase Brown (leg) ‘trending in right direction’

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Illinois running back Chase Brown, the nation’s leading rusher, is “trending in the right direction” after injuring his right leg late in Saturday’s loss to Purdue, coach Bret Bielema told reporters Monday.

Brown needed help getting back to the Fighting Illini’s bench after being tackled out of bounds during the final minute of the 31-24 defeat.

“Very positive and excited, but don’t know where we’ll be by Friday for the trip and Saturday for the game,” Bielema said.

No. 21 Illinois (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) is still in the race for the Big Ten West title and a spot in the conference championship game despite losing to Purdue. Up next, though, is a crucial game at No. 3 Michigan.

Brown has gained an FBS-high 1,442 rushing yards on 280 carries (5.2 yards per carry) through 10 games. He has seven touchdowns on the ground along with three receiving touchdowns. Against Purdue, he finished with 98 rushing yards — a season low — and two rushing scores.

Bielema also said that cornerback Taz Nicholson would be out for the rest of the season with a dislocated wrist that required surgery.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Nation’s leading rusher Chase Brown hurts leg, able to walk off field

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Illinois running back Chase Brown, the nation’s leading rusher, left Saturday’s 31-24 loss to Purdue with what appeared to be a serious leg injury.

Illini coach Bret Bielema didn’t have an update in his postgame press conference.

Brown was tackled near the sideline with 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and was seen writhing in pain out of bounds while grabbing at his leg. Trainers tended to him, and ESPN reported that his twin brother, Sydney, who plays safety for the Fighting Illinois, was in tears while taking a knee next to him.

Entering Saturday, Chase Brown had tallied 1,344 rushing yards on 257 carries. He picked up 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries against the Boilermakers, snapping a streak in which he had rushed for over 100 yards in 10 straight games.

Chase Brown didn’t put any pressure on his leg immediately following the injury but was seen walking off the field under his own power at the conclusion of the game.

–Field Level Media