
In Luke We Trust: Altmyer’s Emotional Debut Moment in Champaign Was a Success
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 3, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Luke Altmyer can't ever honestly comment on what he saw on the 4th-and-4 prayer of a pass once the football left his right hand on a game-saving 34-yard completion.
The Illinois quarterback didn’t actually see Casey Washington come up with the floater of the pass with about two minutes remaining. It was a moment where he had to just hear it.
With every member of the Illinois program staring down a 28-27 deficit and preparing to embrace what would’ve likely been the biggest momentum halt of the Bret Bielema era, Altmyer sent up what he called a prayer to his trusted senior wide receiver. With Toledo defensive end Terrance Taylor taking the Illini quarterback to the turf, Altmyer had to rely on most of the announced crowd of 48,898 to realize his prayer was answered.
“I didn’t see much,” Altmyer said with a smile.