The Music City Bowl will mark the end of Luke Altmyer’s Illinois football career. The three-year starter at quarterback has been a crucial piece in the Illini rebuild this decade. Before he leads the Illini onto the field at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., beat writer Scott Richey shares five enduring moments from Altmyer’s time in Champaign-Urbana:
Clutch performer
Needing a game-winning drive to beat Toledo in the 2023 season opener wasn’t exactly ideal. While the Rockets did go on to win 11 games that year behind their own standout quarterback in Dequan Finn, a close call against a MAC school is preferably avoided. Illinois got the 30-28 win, however, after Altmyer led a 12-play, 64-yard drive that Caleb Griffin finished with a 29-yard field goal. Game-winning drives in the final minutes became an Altmyer staple, as he has six in three years.
Big win on the road
Illinois’ 31-24 overtime win at Nebraska on Sept. 20, 2024, stands out for several reasons. Altmyer became the first Illinois quarterback since Nathan Scheelhaase in 2013 to throw for four touchdowns in multiple games with four against the Cornhuskers. The final two touchdowns helped tie the game (a 6-yard pass to offensive lineman Brandon Henderson) and then win it (a 4-yard pass to Pat Bryant in overtime), as Altmyer finished the game 21 of 27 for 215 yards.
Beating the best
Altmyer capped one of the most impressive seasons for an Illinois quarterback (with more than little help from running back Josh McCray) by leading the Illini to a 21-17 victory against South Carolina in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. The win against the Gamecocks, who entered the game ranked 14th nationally, was the third victory against a Top 25 team that season in addition to then-No. 22 Nebraska and then-No. 24 Michigan. Altmyer was 43 of 67 for 469 yards and six touchdowns in those games.
Not just a passer
Most of Altmyer’s efforts to get his name in the Illinois record book came via his ability as a passer, but he showed off his all-around athleticism throughout his time with the Illini as a capable runner. Good enough to score 12 rushing touchdowns. Altmyer did even more in Illinois’ 34-32 win against Southern Cal this season, completing 20 of 26 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns, rushing five times for 28 yards and another score and catching a 3-yard touchdown pass from Hank Beatty.
All out for the Cannon
There must be something about playing Purdue that brings out the best in Altmyer. Or at least after losing his first shot at the Cannon in 2023. Illinois came out on top in that trophy game in 2024 and again this season with Altmyer in full-on sling it mode. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback threw for 379 yards and three touchdowns in the overtime win last fall in Champaign and topped that with 390 yards and another touchdown in the Oct. 4 road win in West Lafayette, Ind.