Quick hits: No. 11 Illini prove their worth in convincing 45-19 win at Duke

DURHAM, N.C. — Maybe No. 11-ranked Illinois is capable of living up to high expectations. Because Bret Bielema's team on Saturday did something the program hasn't done in a long time.

The Illini won their first nonconference road game against a Power Four opponent since 2007 — and did so in pretty convincing fashion. Illinois outscored Duke 31-6 in the second half of a dominant 45-19 win over the Blue Devils on Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium.

The Illini looked convincing in their first true test of the 2025 season. Luke Altmyer passed for 296 yards and three touchdowns to lead Illinois (2-0), while Hank Beatty had eight receptions for a career-high 128 receiving yards and a 25-yard touchdown run. Kaden Feagin had a team-high 48 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Ca'Lil Valentine had six carries for 44 yards, highlighted by a 23-yard touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Illini defense gave up a lot of yards to highly-touted and highly-paid Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (23-for-34 for 334 yards and two touchdowns), but Illinois limited the Blue Devils thanks to five takeaways, including three turnovers by Mensah.

Tanner Heckel had his first career interception and a forced fumble, Gabe Jacas had a sack and forced fumble of Mensah, Matthew Bailey had six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Illinois' defense bent but did not break on Duke's first series, stopping the Blue Devils on a key third down to force Duke into 41-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. The Illini offense had a slow start with two straight punts to start the game, but Duke muffed a punt, which Tyler Strain recovered. The Illini took advantage with Kaden Feagin punching in a one-yard touchdown to give Illinois a 7-3 lead with two minutes left in the first quarter.

After forcing Duke into another 41-yard field goal to trim the lead to 7-6, Illinois found pay dirt again, going 75 yards in 12 plays, capped by an Altmyer touchdown throw to Cole Rusk for his first reception at Illinois.

Gabe Jacas forced a fumble on Mensah in the red zone on the next drive, giving Illinois the chance to widen the lead. But Altmyer was sacked on 3rd-and-3 from midfield, and Illinois was forced to punt to Duke. Mensah completed five straight passes to end the drive — which was prolonged by a Daniel Brown roughing the passer on third-down from the 11-yard line — capped by a toe-tapping touchdown reception by Andrew Anthony to cut the Illini lead to 14-13 at halftime.

But the Illini offense bounced back in the second half with two long scoring drives. Justin Bowick hauled in a four-yard touchdown catch to cap a 75-yard touchdown drive to begin the half and give Illinois a 21-13 lead. Matthew Bailey then forced a fumble, recovered by Kale Bpaterosn, to set up a 61-yard scoring drive for Illinois, highlighted by Hank Beatty's 25-yard touchdown run out of a Wildcat formation.

Mensah and Duke answered with a 75-yard drive and a 6-yard touchdown pass to Andrel Anthony on 4th-and-goal from the six-yard line. But Duke's two-point field goal attempt failed, keeping it a two-possession game at 28-19. Illinois widened the lead early in the fourth quarter with David Olano kicking a 35-yard field goal after a 57-yard drive.

Illinois then poured it on late with the offense taking advantage of two more takeaways. After Heckel's interception, Altmyer and the Illini drove 89 yards, capped by a Collin Dixon two-yard touchdown catch. After a Heckel forced fumble on a strip sack of Mensah, Valentine took the next play for a 23-yard touchdown run to give the Illini a 44-19 lead.

What it means: Illinois looked like the deeper, more experienced team, showing poise on the road after some early struggles. Illinois didn't overwhelm Duke in the first half, but the Illini played cleaner ball and took advantage of several miscues to take a halftime lead. Illinois then imposed its will in the second half which made the Illini look plenty worthy of their lofty preseason ranking and should be a confidence builder for a team with College Football Playoff aspirations. The Illini looked like the more experienced team, and Altmyer showed why he's one of the best quarterbacks in the country by being able to not only match but outplay the very talented Mensah, who had three turnovers.

Star of the game: Altmyer deserves plenty of flowers, but is it Hank Beatty SZN? The Rochester product is starting to look very reminiscent of Illini great Mike Dudek with his ability to get open, make the catch and make plays after the catch. Beatty notched his second-straight 100-yard game to begin the season, and he has 90+ receiving yards in his last three games dating back to the 2024 Citrus Bowl. Beatty had eight catches on eight targets and clearly is Altmyer's go-to target. Oh, and Lunney found a way to get him the ball in a creative way, as Beatty, a former high school quarterback, took a wildcat snap 25 yards for a touchdown run. This looks like a full breakout senior season for the in-stater.

Stats of the game

Illinois won the takeaway battle 5-0

Illinois scored on all five of its second half drives, outscoring Duke 31-6 after halftime.

Duke had 10 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks but no sacks after halftime.

Illinois won time of possession 36:12 to 23:48.

Illinois had minus-5 rushing yards in the first half, but outgained Duke on the ground 131 to 31 in the second half.

Illinois had two first downs gained on Duke penalties on third or fourth down.

Don't overlook: Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. made key adjustments in the second half to find much more success against Manny Diaz's aggressive defense. After Illinois allowed 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in the first half, Illinois did a better job of countering Diaz's blitzing with more passing on the move and quick hitters. In the second half, Illinois allowed just 2.0 tackles for loss and no sacks, and the Illini scored on all five of its second-half drives.

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