The No. 12 Illini (1-0) entered their season opener against the Western Illinois Leathernecks (0-1) as massive favorites. They delivered with a 52-3 drubbing in front of a Friday night crowd.
Illinois, as expected, was dominant on both sides of the ball. The defense held Western Illinois to just 163 total yards, while the offense put up 440.
A Beatty-ful thing
Senior wide receiver Hank Beatty had the game of his career. The highlight of the night came mid-way through the third, when Beatty ripped off the first Illinois punt return touchdown in 12 years. The senior dashed his way 69 yards down the field en route to the endzone, breaking away from several Leatherneck defenders.
“I think a big part of that was my guys blocking for me on that one,” Beatty said. “I really didn’t have to make a move on anybody until I was inside the twenty-yard line maybe.”
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Beatty’s 133 punt return yards snapped the previous single game record of 125, set by Illini legend Red Grange in 1923. Beatty totaled 241 yards on the night, including a career-high 108 as a receiver.
Cool hand Luke
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer was as sharp as ever against the Leathernecks. Altmyer opened the game going six-for-six on passes and ended 17-for-21 while throwing for three touchdowns.
On his first drive, Altmyer found senior tight end Tanner Arkin alone in the endzone to open the scoring. Shortly after, the quarterback connected with junior wide receiver Justin Bowick, who was making his Illinois debut.
“He’s 6-foot-5 and got some good weight and runs like a deer,” Altmyer said of Bowick. “He’s got all the tools, and it looks like he’s connecting the dots a little bit.”
Altmyer found Bowick again in the final minutes of the first half to give the Illini a 31-0 lead entering halftime.
Gabe Jacas: freak of nature
Senior linebacker Gabe Jacas projects as a potential first-round draft pick, and he looked the part in Illinois’ big win. The senior racked up a pair of sacks in the first half to go along with a forced fumble.
“It was great to finally hit the quarterback,” Jacas said.
The preseason All-American’s forced fumble on Leathernecks’ quarterback Chris Irvin kept the early momentum flowing for Illinois. The play allowed Altmyer and the blazing offense to get right back on the field and eventually jump out to a 14-0 lead.
“Gabe is a very gifted player,” said head coach Bret Bielema. “He obviously is a freak of nature.”
Next up
The Illini face a much tougher test next week. The team travels to Durham, North Carolina, to take on the Duke Blue Devils (1-0), fresh off a 45-17 week one win.
@BrendanGallian
