The Illinois Fighting Illini know today's game against Kansas is a huge opportunity for the program.

And ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit agrees.

"They haven't had a chance like this against a non-conference opponent," Herbstreit said on College GameDay. "I think it was 2011 that the last time they knocked off a non-conference, ranked opponent."

Herbstreit also showed some love for Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer. While Kansas features Jalon Daniels, Altmyer has a chance to make a statement.

"Luke Altmyer, by the way," Herbstreit said. "A lot of focus on Jalon Daniels. The kid at Illinois can play. He's got a lot of experience."

By Shandel Richardson Via. Illinois Sports Illustrated

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Illinois QB Luke Altmyer was named Wednesday to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award preseason watch list. The award, named after the Pro Football Hall of Famer, is presented annually to the top upperclassman quarterback in college football.

Altmyer, a transfer from Ole Miss, started nine contests for Illinois last season, finishing with 1,883 yards, 13 TDs, 10 INTs, and a 64.8% completion rate. He also rushed for 282 yards and 3 TDs, including a 72-yard score at Kansas.

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list

Twelve other Big Ten QBs appear on the Golden Arm Award watch list:

Altmyer is the latest Illini to find himself on a preseason watch list, joining teammates Kaden Feagin & Josh McCray (Doak Walker), Zakhari Franklin (Comeback Player of the Year), and Dylan Rosiek (Butkus).

By Drew Pastorek via MSN

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HAMPAIGN — Luke Altmyer threw for 213 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to lead Illinois past Eastern Illinois 45-0 Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.

Altmyer spread the wealth while completing 19 of 24 passes. Eleven receivers caught passes, three for touchdowns. Pat Bryant had two TDs, giving him 11 for his career. Malik Elzy and Tanner Arkin also caught TD passes.

Kaden Feagin led Illinois’ rushing attack with 16 carries for 108 yards. It was his first career 100-yard game. He ran for a touchdown and so did Josh McCray. Aidan Laughery ran for 79 yards on 10 carries.

Illinois scored on all five of its trips into the red zone, outgained Eastern Illinois 486-196, and had 27 first downs to the Panthers’ nine,

Four Eastern Illinois turnovers were turned into 24 points by the Illini. Miles Scott caused a fumble and had an interception.

It was 31-0 at halftime.

Eastern Illinois had a promising opening drive, but Scott forced a fumble by running back Jay Pearson and Seth Coleman recovered on the Illini 23.

That turned out to be the Panthers’ deepest penetration into Illinois territory until late in the third quarter, when Dylan Rosiek chased down Eastern Illinois receiver DeAirious Smith after a pass completion, Smith fumbled, and Kaleb Patterson recovered on the Illini 13.

Altmyer threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Bryant following Coleman’s fumble recovery. That came on the play after an Altmyer-to-Zakhari Franklin touchdown pass was ruled incomplete and confirmed by video review after a challenge by Illinois.

Via. Associated press

IPM Newsroom

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The Illinois Fighting Illini kick off their season with a Saturday showdown on Aug. 31 against the Eastern Illinois Panthers.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer is starting his first opener for the Illini after transferring from Mississippi. The 21-year-old discussed the adjustment period with the team following a 116-yard, two-touchdown performance in a late-April spring game.

"That's kind of the deal with me, being more assertive, more urgent in my game," Altmyer said. "It comes with a lot of things. It comes with reps. It comes with being more comfortable with what I'm doing ... I'm excited to move forward and looking forward to the fall and being able to showcase it."

Via Anthony Pasciolla, Illini Now

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Via Anderson Kimball, The Pantograph

CHAMPAIGN — Luke Altmyer had been preparing for this day for years.

He fought tooth-and-nail in quarterback battles at Mississippi after entering as a four-star recruit, but came up just short. He entered the transfer portal in search of this kind of opportunity, and found a match at Illinois.

Then he won the job in fall camp, and it finally came and hit him. He’d get the chance to be a starting college quarterback and take his team out on the field.

"I knew it'd be a big day, honestly — a day I would never forget no matter if we lost the game or won the game," Altmyer said. "It's my first game here and first real start being that solidified guy. I knew the emotions would be all over the place.

"To see my family before the (pregame) walk and seeing the excitement and all the emotions pouring out from them ... and even after the game, it really was a full circle moment. It felt like it was right."

The debut performance from Altmyer was one to remember with a storybook ending. He finished 18-for-26 with 211 yards, a pair of scores and a pick through the air with 69 yards on the ground.

That last completion, a 33-yard fourth down throw down the sideline to Casey Washington, spearheaded a game-winning field goal.

By Scott Richey, The News Gazette

CHAMPAIGN — Isaiah Williams’ eyes light up talking about Luke Altmyer’s deep-passing ability.

Williams had his breakout season in 2022 operating mostly as a slot receiver in Illinois’ offense.

The idea was simple.

Get Williams the ball in space and let him put his high-level athleticism to good use.

But Williams wants to do more, wants to elevate his skill set as a wide receiver heading into the 2023 season. Developing into a downfield threat is the ultimate goal, and in Altmyer, he’s found a quarterback who can deliver.

“Truthfully, that’s his specialty,” Williams said. “He’s probably got one of the most pretty deep balls I’ve ever seen. Let’s you run up underneath it. Great touch on the ball. That’s his specialty. That’s his gift is his deep ball.”