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Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Luke Altmyer confirms return to Illinois football team for upcoming season

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Memorial Stadium | University of Illinois Fighting Illini

Memorial Stadium | University of Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has confirmed his return to the Fighting Illini football team for the 2025 season. The announcement was made during a timeout at the Illinois men's basketball game against Tennessee, in front of a full house at State Farm Center.

Altmyer played a pivotal role in leading Illinois to one of its most successful seasons in program history in 2024. The team appeared in the AP Top 25 for 11 weeks and achieved nine or more regular-season wins for only the eighth time in its history. Additionally, they were ranked by the College Football Playoff selection committee for four consecutive weeks, setting a new program record. The Illini will aim to secure their tenth win of the season at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, which would equal their record for most wins in a single season.

Hailing from Starkville, Mississippi, Altmyer distinguished himself as one of the nation's most efficient passers in 2024. He threw for 2,543 yards with 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions during the regular season. His performance earned him recognition as one of the top 25 quarterbacks by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and inclusion in the Davey O'Brien Award Class of 2024's top 35 quarterbacks.

This season, Altmyer led Illinois to three victories over top-25 teams, amassing 560 yards of offense with a completion rate of 65.7%, six touchdowns (five passing and one rushing), and no interceptions during these games. The Illini will have an opportunity to achieve their fourth ranked victory when they face South Carolina at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

In his two years at Champaign, Altmyer has been noted as one of college football's most clutch quarterbacks. He has orchestrated five game-winning drives within the final minute or overtime throughout his career—two more than any other active college quarterback this year—and led with three game-winning touchdown passes under similar circumstances.

The Illini are set to conclude their 2024 season on New Year's Eve against South Carolina at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ABC.

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