The Illinois Fighting Illini have secured a shutout victory in their first game of the season against the visiting Eastern Illinois Panthers.
Illinois is back in the win column after dropping their final two games of the 2023 season against #16 Iowa and Northwestern. The Fighting Illini offense was displaying their full capabilities and thrashing through the Panthers’ defense on the ground and through the air. Quarterback Luke Altmyer was the player of the game for the Fighting Illini with four touchdown passes and a 72.2 quarterback rating.
Illinois Fighting Illini Secure 45-0 Victory Behind Quarterback Luke Altmyer
![Illinois Fighting Illini Shutout Eastern Illinois, 45-0, Behind QB Confident Luke Altmyer 1 Illinois Fighting Illini](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_24110286_168400517_lowres-1024x683.webp)
The Illinois Fighting Illini have won their home opener to kick off the 2024 season after taking down the Eastern Illinois Panthers, 45-0. The offense dominated and the defense blanked the Panthers as the team came together on each side of the ball. The star of the show for the Illinois football team was junior quarterback Luke Altmyer who recorded four touchdowns through the air.
Altmyer, a former Ole Miss signee and quarterback, transferred after two seasons with the Rebels in search of playing time. The quarterback settled on Illinois and helped lead the team last year to a 5-7 record, getting injured and missing time in the process. The quarterback finished the season with 1883 yards, 13 touchdowns, and ten interceptions along with three rushing touchdowns.
In the first game of the season, Altmyer went 19-of-24 passing for 214 yards and four touchdowns against their in-state brother. The quarterback took some hits but delivered beautiful passes all night, which is something he had struggled with a season ago. Altmyer also added 27 yards on the ground on just three carries against the Panthers’ defense.
Running back Kaden Feagin also impressed on the ground, carrying the ball 16 times for 108 rushing yards and a touchdown. Feagin had a big rush for 29 yards against the Panthers’ defense and played physical football all night for the Illinois Fighting Illini. The running back also made a couple of key blocks when helping in pass protection.
What Went Right For the Illinois Football Team Against the Eastern Illinois Panthers?
![Illinois Fighting Illini Shutout Eastern Illinois, 45-0, Behind QB Confident Luke Altmyer 2 Illinois Fighting Illini](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_24110278_168400517_lowres-1024x683.webp)
With a score like 45-0, it is hard to pick out specific things that a team did better than others, but there are two major keys from the Illinois win. Illinois displayed they have both depth and playmakers on the field during their win over the Panthers. The Fighting Illini have perhaps the deepest roster they have walked out onto the field in quite some time.
Starting with the running back room, the Fighting Illini has two running backs who can truly mess up the day of any defense. Kaden Feagin, a sophomore from Illinois, is the feature back for the Fighting Illini this season after recording 95 carries, 438 yards, and two touchdowns as a freshman. Feagin is a physical freak who stands in at 6-feet-3-inches, and nearly 240 pounds along with a quick burst of speed out of the backfield.
Behind Feagin is Aidan Laughery, another sophomore running back with a different look out of the backfield. Laughery is not nearly as physical as Feagin and instead provides a quick look out of the backfield along with the ability to catch the ball. The running back duo of the Fighting Illini could be one to watch in the Big Ten Conference this season due to the different looks they offer the offense.
The next key position of depth for Illinois Fighting Illini that has a few playmakers is the wide receiver room, highlighted by Pat Bryant. The 6-foot-3-inch wide receiver caught two touchdown passes against the Panthers and broke out last season with seven total touchdowns. Alongside Bryant is speedy sophomore Malik Elzy, who also recorded a touchdown against the Panthers on a breakaway play.
Get More NFL and College Football Content
For more news and trends in the college football world, follow me on Twitter @JarrettGuerrera
Our Partners
![Illinois Fighting Illini Shutout Eastern Illinois, 45-0, Behind QB Confident Luke Altmyer 3 Book An Athlete Appearance MSM 2023 CTA 720x90 1](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Book-An-Athlete-Appearance-MSM-2023-CTA-720x90-1.webp)
![Illinois Fighting Illini Shutout Eastern Illinois, 45-0, Behind QB Confident Luke Altmyer 4 book athlete 1 1 600x600 1](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/book_athlete-1-1-600x600-1-300x300.webp)