CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer on Saturday announced his return to the Fighting Illini football team for the 2025 season. Altmyer made the announcement during a timeout at the Illinois men's basketball game against No. 1-ranked Tennessee on the court in front of a sold-out crowd at State Farm Center.
Altmyer led #20 Illinois to one of its best seasons in program history in 2024. The Fighting Illini appeared in the AP Top 25 for 11 weeks, won nine or more regular season games for the eighth time in Illini history, and were ranked by the College Football Playoff selection committee for a program-record four straight weeks to end the season. Illinois will go for win #10 at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, which would tie a program record for wins in a season.
The Starkville, Mississippi, native was one of the most efficient passers in the nation in 2024, throwing for 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only five interceptions during the regular season. He was named one of the top 25 quarterbacks in the nation by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was named to the Davey O'Brien Award Class of 2024 as one of the top 35 quarterbacks in college football.
Altmyer led Illinois to three top-25 victories this season, while totaling 560 yards of offense, a 65.7% completion percentage (46-for-70), six touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing), and zero interceptions during the ranked wins. Illinois will get a shot at its fourth ranked win, which would tie a program record, when the Fighting Illini face #15 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
During his two years in Champaign, Altmyer has also been the most clutch quarterback in the nation. He has led five game-winning drives in the final minute or overtime during his career, two more than any other active quarterback in college football. This season, he led the nation with three game-winning touchdown passes in the final minute or overtime.
Altmyer and the Illini finish the 2024 season on New Year's Eve in Orlando. #20 Illinois and #15 South Carolina will kick off at 2 p.m. CT at Camping World Stadium on ABC.
Altmyer led #20 Illinois to one of its best seasons in program history in 2024. The Fighting Illini appeared in the AP Top 25 for 11 weeks, won nine or more regular season games for the eighth time in Illini history, and were ranked by the College Football Playoff selection committee for a program-record four straight weeks to end the season. Illinois will go for win #10 at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, which would tie a program record for wins in a season.
The Starkville, Mississippi, native was one of the most efficient passers in the nation in 2024, throwing for 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only five interceptions during the regular season. He was named one of the top 25 quarterbacks in the nation by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was named to the Davey O'Brien Award Class of 2024 as one of the top 35 quarterbacks in college football.
Altmyer led Illinois to three top-25 victories this season, while totaling 560 yards of offense, a 65.7% completion percentage (46-for-70), six touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing), and zero interceptions during the ranked wins. Illinois will get a shot at its fourth ranked win, which would tie a program record, when the Fighting Illini face #15 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
During his two years in Champaign, Altmyer has also been the most clutch quarterback in the nation. He has led five game-winning drives in the final minute or overtime during his career, two more than any other active quarterback in college football. This season, he led the nation with three game-winning touchdown passes in the final minute or overtime.
Altmyer and the Illini finish the 2024 season on New Year's Eve in Orlando. #20 Illinois and #15 South Carolina will kick off at 2 p.m. CT at Camping World Stadium on ABC.
