Quick hits: Altmyer, Beatty dominate in Illini's 43-27 win at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue had no answer for Illinois football's All-Big Ten passing connection of Luke Altmyer and Hank Beatty on Saturday.

Altmyer completed 19 of 22 passes for a career-high 390 yards and one touchdown, and Beatty had five receptions for a career-high 186 receiving yards to lead the No. 22-ranked Illini to a 43-27 win over the Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Beatty and Altmyer connected on four passes of 28-plus yards to help Illinois (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) clinch back-to-back wins over the Boilermakers (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) for the first time since 2002. The win also solidified that Illinois' home game against No. 1 Ohio State (11 a.m. CT, FOX) will be its third-ranked-on-ranked matchup in four weeks.

Ca'Lil Valentine ran for a career-high 95 rushing yards and a touchdown for Illinois, and Kaden Feagin ran for two touchdowns. Collin Dixon added four receptions for 70 yards. Illini kicker David Olano tied a program record with five made field goals (35, 42, 45, 34, 40).

Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne completed 30 of 50 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown and ran for a touchdown to lead the Boilermakers, while running back duo Anthony Harris and Devin Mockobee ran for a combined 117 yards and a touchdown. Michael Jackson III had 14 receptions for 94 yards, and Corey Smith added 83 receiving yards, highlighted by a 60-yard touchdown catch and run.

Purdue took an early 7-0 lead on its second drive as it went 62 yards on 10 plays, capped by a Browne one-yard touchdown plunge. But Illinois then scored 24 straight points in the second quarter to take control of the game.

The Illini cut the lead to 7-3 as David Olano made a 35-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Rosiek's punch-out forced fumble on Michael Jackson III flipped the game in the Illini's favor. Altmyer hit Beatty for a 62-yard touchdown to take a 10-7 lead with 12:50 left in the quarter.

After McCullom's sack forced a Purdue punt, Altymer hit Ashton Hollins for a 49-yard gain, Purdue jumped offsides on an Illinois 4th-and-4 at the Purdue 39 and Kaden Feagin ran for a six-yard touchdown run to give the Illini a 17-7 lead with 3:52 left in the second quarter. The Illini scored just 1:27 later as Purdue went 3-and-out, Altmyer hit Beatty for a 35-yard pass and Valentine found pay dirt on a 25-yard touchdown run to give Illinois a 24-7 lead with 2:25 left in the second quarter.

Purdue ended the Illini's 24-point streak as Illinois sent a corner blitz and Miles Scott busted a coverage as Browne hit Corey Smith for a 60-yard touchdown with 1:13 left to trim the deficit to 24-14. But the Illini drove 51 yards quickly to set up Olano for a 42-yard field goal to head into the half up 27-14.

Out of halftime, Altmyer dropped a beauty of a pass to Collin Dixon for a 40-yard gain but Altmyer was sacked on third down inside the 25, and Illinois settled for a 45-yard David Olano field goal to go up 30-14.

Just a few minutes later, Purdue's Anthony Harris ran by Matthew Bailey for a 41-yard touchdown run to cut the Illini's lead 30-21. Illinoiss then punted on its next drive, but Saboor Karriem forced a fumble on the return and set up Illinois inside the Purdue 10. But Altmyer was sacked on 3rd-and-goal, and Illinois settled again for an Olano field goal from 34 yards to take a 33-21 lead midway through the third quarter.

The Illini forced a three-and-out, and Altmyer and Beatty connected on another big play, a 49-yard pass, to set up Feagin's second touchdown plunge and take a 40-21 lead late in the third quarter.

But Purdue went 75 yards in 13 plays on its next drive, capped by a one-yard Mockobee touchdown run to cut the deficit to 40-27 with 12:34 left. But that's all the points the Boilermakers could muster as the Illini forced a punt and a turnover on downs on Purdue's final two drives. David Olano added a 40-yard field goal with 1:10 left to go up 43-27.

What it means: Not the prettiest win for Illinois, but a good win as Illinois took advantage of Purdue miscues to improve to 5-1 and set itself up for a back half of the season that could be significant for the program. The Illini offense looks like a well-oiled machine right now with Altmyer and Beatty as its engines. Illinois has scored 34+ points in five of its six games. But the Illini have needed it as the defense is struggling to stop anyone when they don't get takeaways. Illinois' offense makes it a very good team, but the defense needs to be firmer if Illinois is going to truly make a run at the College Football Playoff. Still with Altmyer running the offense, Illinois has a chance to do big things this season.

Star of the game: Luke Altmyer and Hank Beatty. Altmyer is putting together one of the best quarterback seasons in an Illini history that has had some pretty great ones, including Jack Trudeau, Tony Eason, Jeff George and Kurt Kittner. Altmyer was in complete command and ridiculously accurate, taking advantage of Purdue's questionable secondary with well-placed deep shots. Meanwhile, Beatty (569 yards) is putting together one of the best receiving seaosns in Illini history, somewhat out of nowhere, but he has proven himself as a star Big Ten player and likely an NFL prospect.

Stats of the game

Illinois averaged 20.5 yards per pass completion.

Purdue had two turnovers (two lost fumbles), while Illinois had zero.

Altmyer completed six passes of 28+ yards

Purdue had four runs of 15+ yards.

Purdue had seven penalties for 59 yards, while Illinois had four penalties for 31 yards.

Purdue had eight tackles for loss (2.0 sacks), while Illinois had three tackles for loss (2.0 sacks).

Olano is the first Illini kicker since 2001 to make five field goals in a single game.

Don't overlook: Redshirt sophomore center TJ McMillen made his first career start in the place of team captain Josh Kreutz, whose streak of 30 straight starts for the Illini at center was snapped due to an unspecified injury. Kreutz dressed in uniform and warmed up but did not play. He was listed as questionable before the game.

Despite some miscues on defense, some young defenders flashed. Angelo McCullom had a career-high 1.5 sacks, Saboor Karriem forced a key fumble and Jojo Hayden had four tackles, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery.

Also, Olano looks like one of the best kickers in the country this season, making 11 of 12 field goals so far this season.

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