By IlliniGuys Staff

October 4, 2025

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Luke Altmyer threw for a career high 390 yards and David Olano kicked five field goals as No. 22 Illinois defeated Purdue Saturday afternoon 43-27 to keep the coveted Cannon Trophy for the second straight year.

Illinois (5-1, 2-1 in Big Ten) hadn't won a game in Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium since 2019 as they earn their first consecutive victories in the series since 2001-02.

Altmyer completed 18 of his 21 passes for an 86 percent completion rate, topping his previous career best of 81 percent earlier this season against Western Illinois, while his passing yards total eclipsed the 379 yards he threw for in the win over Purdue (2-3, 0-2) last season.  With the 328 yards against USC last week, it's the first time Altmyer has put together back-to-back 300-yard games.

The 5th year senior from Starksville, Mississippi now has 6,173 passing yards in his Illinois career, passing Rochester's Wes Lunt for 7th on the all-time Illini passing list.

Illinois gave up an early touchdown to the Boilermakers, then scored 27 points in the second quarter, highlighted by a 62-yard scoring strike from Altmyer to Hank Beatty after Dylan Rosiek forced a fumble and JoJo Hayden recovered. That made it a 10-7 Illinois lead and they never trailed again.

Beatty caught five passes for a career-best 186 yards as he continues to make a push for All-Big Ten honors. Kaden Feagin and Ca'Lil Valentine both ran for touchdowns as well. Valentine rushed for a career-high 95 yards on 22 carries.

Illinois now sets up a showdown next Saturday vs. defending national champion and No. 1 ranked Ohio State (11am CDT, FOX). The Buckeyes face Minnesota later today.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage from West Lafayette.