Zeno Jo, IlliniGuys Writer

September 13, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After shaking off a slow start on both sides of the ball, Luke Altmyer and
ninth-ranked Illinois toughed out a 38-0 win over Western Michigan on Saturday evening.
In front of a sold-out crowd at the newly renamed Gies Memorial Stadium, the Illini came out of
the gates slow, claiming an early lead thanks to a 28-yard field goal from David Olano.
Western Michigan’s dual quarterback approach with the accurate Broc Lowry and the shifty
Brady Jones gave the Illini defense fits, while the Illinois offensive line had trouble protecting
Altmyer in the pocket through the first two frames.
After keeping the Mustangs on their side of the field, Illinois was held to a three-and-out, but the
defense responded with one of their own. The first quarter ended with Olano’s field goal the only
difference, but a nine-play, 68-yard drive was capped off with Altmyer finding Hank Beatty in the
back corner on the run for a six-yard touchdown, the wideout’s first receiving touchdown of the
season.
The score was Illinois’ last trip into Western Michigan territory for the rest of the half, but a
missed 46-yard field goal and a goal-line stand in the closing seconds of the half protected an
Illini clean sheet entering the break. While the Illini led at halftime, a subpar half hour on the
offensive end meant the lead was just 10.
The Illini managed fewer offensive yards than their MAC visitors in the first half, but exited the
locker room in the second half with a conviction about them. The Illinois defense held the
Mustangs to a three-and-out on their opening drive of the second half, then charged downfield
on back-to-back drives for touchdowns, with Kaden Feagin drilling in a three-yard carry and
Altmyer scrambling from two yards out.
On the two drives alone, Illinois managed 133 yards of offense – more than they managed in
the entire first half.
A five-play, 53-yard drive stretching from the end of the third quarter into the early fourth ended
with Altmyer connecting with junior wideout Ashton Hollins on back-to-back plays for his first
catch of the season and then the first touchdown grab of his career.
From that point on, it was smooth sailing for the Illini on both sides of the ball. Altmyer finished
with 196 yards and two touchdowns, while Feagin and Ca’Lil Valentine combined for 163 yards
and two touchdowns.