Western Illinois Leathernecks at Illinois Fighting Illini
· NCAA - Football
Beatty returns punt for TD, breaks Grange's 102-year-old record in No. 12 Illini's opening rout
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.
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.”
Illinois: At Duke on Sept. 6.
How To Watch
How can I watch Western Illinois Leathernecks vs. Illinois Fighting Illini?
- TV Channel: Leathernecks at Fighting Illini 2021 College Football, week 1, is broadcasted on Peacock.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 6:43 | Tanner Arkin 3 Yd pass from Luke Altmyer (David Olano Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 3:48 | Justin Bowick 3 Yd pass from Luke Altmyer (David Olano Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 13:20 | Aidan Laughery 25 Yd Run (David Olano Kick) |
|
FG | 2nd Period 7:54 | David Olano 35 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 2nd Period 3:09 | Justin Bowick 13 Yd pass from Luke Altmyer (David Olano Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 8:00 | Hank Beatty 69 Yd Punt Return (David Olano Kick) |
 |
FG | 4th Period 14:57 | Antonio Chadha 20 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 4th Period 8:27 | Kaden Feagin 7 Yd Run (David Olano Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 5:27 | Aidan Laughery 57 Yd Run (David Olano Kick) |
Statistics
 WIU |
 ILL |
|
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1st Downs | 21 |
| 5-14 | 3rd down efficiency | 4-9 |
| 0-2 | 4th down efficiency | 2-2 |
| 163 | Total Yards | 440 |
| 134 | Passing | 231 |
| 14/29 | Comp/Att | 18/22 |
| 4.6 | Yards per pass | 10.5 |
| 29 | Rushing | 209 |
| 26 | Rushing Attempts | 37 |
| 1.1 | Yards per rush | 5.6 |
| 8-59 | Penalties | 5-60 |
| 1 | Turnovers | 0 |
| 1 | Fumbles lost | 0 |
| 0 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
| 27:18 | Possession | 32:42 |
Game Information
Location: Champaign, IL
Attendance: 56,040 · Capacity:
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