Beatty returns punt for TD, breaks Grange's 102-year-old record in No. 12 Illini's opening rout

Posted August 29, 2025 10:35 pm

By STEVE STEIN

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) scrambles for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Illinois on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman) (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Hank Beatty returned a punt 69 yards for a third-quarter touchdown and broke Red Grange’s 102-year-old Illinois record for yards on punt returns to help the No. 11 Illini rout Western Illinois 52-3 on Friday night to open the season.

Beatty had four returns for 133 yards to break Grange's mark of 125 set against Nebraska on Oct. 6, 1923. The TD return was Illini’s first since D’Angelo Bailey did it against Ohio State in 2013.

Beatty also led Illinois in receiving with 108 yards on five catches, with a 59-yarder for a touchdown.

Luke Altmyer was 17 of 21 with three touchdowns passes in an interception-free performance. Aidan Laughery ran for 109 yards on nine carries and two TDs.

Chris Irvin was 14 of 29 for 134 yards for Western Illinois. Antonio Chadha made a 20-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

The Illini led 31-0 at halftime, with Altmyer throwing all three of his TD passes — two to Justin Bowick in his first game at Illinois since transferring from Ball State.

The takeaway

Western Illinois: There wasn’t a lot for the Leathernecks to be happy about after being overmatched by one of the nation’s better teams.

Illinois: Coach Bret Bielema hoped his team caught the attention of some AP poll voters. “Some people didn’t vote for us at all,” he said. “So our success from last season (a team record-tying 10 wins) was temporary in their eyes.”

Up next

Western Illinois: Art Northwestern on Sept. 5.

Illinois: At Duke on Sept. 6.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Illinois wide receiver Alexander Capra-Jones (7) evades Western Illinois defensive back Keith Moko during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman) (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Illinois wide receiver Justin Bowick (0) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Illinois on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman) (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Illinois on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman) (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Illinois linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) and linebacker Dylan Rosiek (28) celebrate during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Illinois on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman) (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

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