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Illinois Football: Top 3 surprise performances in the Illini win over Toledo

By Rees Woodcock

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 26: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet is seen at Big Ten football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 26: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet is seen at Big Ten football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Sep 2, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) puts a hand to the helmet of Toledo Rockets linebacker CJ Wilson Jr. (33) on a run during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) puts a hand to the helmet of Toledo Rockets linebacker CJ Wilson Jr. (33) on a run during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Luke Altmyer

  • Stats: 211 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 69.3% Completion, 69 yards rushing

Coming into the game on Saturday, I figured the Illinois game plan would be to ease Luke Altmyer into the starting quarterback role. Don’t put too much on him too soon.

That was clearly the Illini game plan early on. Altmyer wasn’t taking a ton of risks, but the Illinois offense wasn’t moving the ball very well. Soon, Illinois would be down in the game, and Altmyer would have to take off the training wheels.

The result of Altmyer being let loose was incredible. He looked great for the Illini. The biggest eye-opener was the ability for Altmyer to complete passes with accuracy.

Altmyer is great at the back shoulder throw. He has the timing and ball speed to hit that every time. The only reason those throws would be incomplete was due to Toledo having good defensive backs.

The touch that Altmyer brought to the Illinois offense was phenomenal as well. He knew how to gauge his ball speed on short, intermediate, and long throws. This is a skill that is hard to teach. Altmyer already gets it.

And then you have Altmyer’s ability to run the football. This amazed me because I haven’t heard too many people say he could run well. Altmyer would pull the ball down and get Illinois yardage with his legs throughout the game. He was our leading rusher.

I knew Altmyer had talent, as he was a former four-star recruit, but his first time out with the Illini was a bit surprising. I think we have a special talent on our hands.

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