Luke Altmyer scores 3 TDs, No. 9 Illinois shuts out Western Michigan

Posted September 13, 2025 9:45 pm

By STEVE STEIN

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman) (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

CHAMPAIGN — Luke Altmyer threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and No. 9 Illinois shut out Western Michigan 38-0 on Saturday night.

Kaden Feagin rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown and Ca’Lil Valentine ran for 63 yards and a TD. Hank Beatty caught six passes for 53 yards and a TD.

It was the seventh consecutive victory dating to last season for Illinois (3-0), its longest winning streak since it won seven in a row in 2011.

Broc Lowry threw for 78 yards and ran for 40 yards for the Broncos (0-3), who had 204 total yards.

Illinois led 10-0 at halftime, preserving the shutout with a goal-line stand in the final seconds. The Illini stopped the Broncos twice at the 1-yard line.

The only TD of the half was a 6-yard pass from Altmyer to Beatty in the second quarter, his first scoring catch of the season. Illinois’ leading receiver had scored a TD on a punt return in the Illini’s opener vs. Western Illinois.

The takeaway

Western Michigan: Illinois coach Bret Bielema said during the week he expected Western Michigan, a 27.5-point underdog according to BetMGM, to give his team a battle. He was somewhat correct. The Broncos didn’t score, but they shut down lllinois’ high-powered offense in the first half before giving up 28 points in the second half. The Illini have scored 38 or more points six times in seven games.

Illinois: The Illini opened the season with decisive victories over three teams (Western Illinois, Duke and Western Michigan) with a combined record of 2-7, outscoring them 128-22. Now Illinois has an opportunity to show it deserves its No. 9 AP ranking — the team’s highest since 2001 and best September ranking since 1964 — with games coming up against No. 22 Indiana and USC.

Up next

Western Michigan: The Broncos open Mid-American Conference play next Saturday vs. Toledo.

Illinois: The Illini open Big Ten Conference play next Saturday at No. 22 Indiana.

Western Michigan to running back Devin Miles during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman) (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Western Michigan safety Micah Davis (18) tackles Illinois running back Ca'Lil Valentine during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman) (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty (80) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman) (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)