Illinois football records that are on pace to be rewritten in 2023

Regardless of the standings, the Illinois football program has some records that could be set this season.

The Illini hopefully got back on track this past weekend with a big win over Maryland. This victory moved Illinois to 3-4 on the season, and the hopes of making a bowl game are still alive.

But, no matter how the season finishes, some of the players are looking to cement themselves in the Illinois football record book.

Here are Illinois football records that are on pace to be rewritten in 2023

Season Total Offense Yardage

Luke Altmyer

• Current – 1,772 yards (1,571 passing & 201 rushing)
• On Pace – 3,037 total yards

Ranking – Finishing at 3,037 total yards, Altmyer would secure the No. 7 spot in Illinois program history. He would finish 205 yards shy of all-time great, Kurt Kittner at 3,242 yards in 2001.

Season Completion Percentage

Luke Altmyer

• Current – 63.3%
• On Pace – 63.3%

Ranking – Despite some wild passes this season, Altmyer is on pace to be one of the most accurate quarterbacks in Illinois history. He is on pace for a completion rate of 63.3%, which would rank No. 8 in season completion percentage. Altmyer would finish right behind Wes Lunt, who completed 63.49% of his passes in 2014.

Season Rushing Yards by a Quarterback

Luke Altmyer

• Current – 201 yards
• On Pace – 344 yards

Ranking – Altmyer has displayed some good running ability this season. His legs have enabled Illinois to move the ball down the field a little better. Altmyer’s 201 yards through seven games has him on pace for 344 yards rushing this season. That would put him at No. 10 all-time for an Illinois quarterback in a season. He would be right behind teammate Isaiah Williams, who had 389 yards as our quarterback in 2020.

Career Receptions

Isaiah Williams

• Current – 174 receptions (ranks #2 all-time)
• On Pace – 204 receptions

Ranking – As of right now, Williams has 174 receptions for his career, which ranks No. 2 all-time in Illinois program history. He is currently on pace to finish the season with 204 career receptions, which locks him into that No. 2 spot. He is only behind David Williams, who had 262 receptions in his career.

Season Receptions

Isaiah Williams

• Current – 42 receptions
• On Pace – 72 receptions

Ranking – In 2022, Williams placed himself No. 4 all-time in single-season receptions in Illinois history with 82 receptions. He is on pace this season for 72 receptions, which gives him the No. 7 spot on this list. Williams would own two out of the top seven spots in Illinois single-season receptions.

Career Receiving Yardage

Isaiah Williams

• Current – 1,795 yards
• On Pace – 2,185 yards

Ranking – Williams has done some damage since moving over to wide receiver. If he stopped right now, he would finish his career with 1,795 yards receiving, which would rank No. 10 all-time in Illinois history. Williams is projected to finish this season with 2,185 yards receiving for his career, which would put him at No. 8 in career receiving yardage. He would be right behind Arrelious Benn at 2,221 yards.

Career 100-Yard Receiving Games

Isaiah Williams

• Current – 7
• On Pace – 7

Ranking – With the 113 yards against Purdue a few weeks back, Williams now has seven 100-yard receiving games for his career. This puts him in a tie with Walter Young at No. 6 all-time in Illinois history.

Career Field Goal Accuracy

Caleb Griffin

• Current – 72.4%
• On Pace – 72.4%

Ranking – Coming off a big last-second win via field goal, it is only fitting to put Griffin on this list. He is hitting his field goals at a clip of 72.4% for his career. He is on pace to finish his career No. 8 all-time in Illinois field goal accuracy.

Season Forced Fumbles

Dylan Rosiek, Kenenna Odeluga, Taz Nicholson

• Current – Rosiek (3), Odeluga (2), Nicholson (2)
• On Pace – Rosiek (5), Odeluga (3), Nicholson (3)

Ranking – Illinois has been impressive stripping the ball this season. Rosiek already has three forced fumbles, which ranks No. 10 all-time in season forced fumbles for the Illini. He is on pace for five forced fumbles, which lands him No. 3 all-time in program history. Odeluga and Nicholson both have two forced fumbles and are on pace for three this season. That would land them at No. 10 all-time.

Season Fumble Recoveries

Kenenna Odeluga

• Current – 2
• On Pace – 3

Ranking – Odeluga has managed to force two fumbles, and he also has two fumble recoveries this season. He is on pace to snag three fumble recoveries, which would put him No. 10 in Illinois single-season fumble recoveries.