Illinois (4-1, 1-1) senior quarterback Luke Altmyer’s unique statline against USC (4-1, 2-1) this weekend earned him Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
Altmyer threw for two touchdowns, rushed for one and caught one on a pass from senior wide receiver Hank Beatty. The quarterback set season highs in passing yards (328) and rushing yards (28) in the Illini’s 34-32 Homecoming win over the Trojans.
“To be able to use my legs, that’s a big deal for me,” Altmyer said following the win. “I think it’s just such a good weapon for us. And then obviously my offensive linemen gave me so much time back there to make plays, and we maximized every single play.”
Altmyer scored the game’s first touchdown himself, finding the endzone in the closing minutes of the first quarter.
After USC tied the game at 7-7, Altmyer marched the offense back to the red zone early in the second. The quarterback handed the ball off before taking off towards the endzone, where he hauled in Beatty’s pass.
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“When that play call came in, I just got ecstatic, because I knew it was going to work,” Altmyer said. “Hank made a great throw; it seemed like the ball was up there for so long. It was so fun. I’ll remember it forever.”
Altmyer connected with junior running back Kaden Feagin and junior wide receiver Justin Bowick in the second half for his two passing touchdowns.
Down one with less than 2 minutes left, Altmyer led the team into field goal range, where junior kicker David Olano delivered a walk-off field goal.
Altmyer is the first Illini to earn the honor since junior running back Aidan Laughery last season.
@BrendanGallian
