Illinois defeats Rutgers, secures bowl eligibility with Altmyer-led victory

Illinois defeated Rutgers 35-13, with quarterback Luke Altmyer leading the charge by throwing for 235 yards and four touchdowns, and adding 88 rushing yards and a touchdown. This win ended Illinois' two-game losing streak and made them bowl-eligible for consecutive seasons for the first time since 2010-11. Altmyer's performance included a trick play touchdown run and scoring passes to four different receivers, showcasing offensive balance and effectiveness. Illinois' defense rebounded strongly, limiting Rutgers to just 59 rushing yards and disrupting their previously top-ranked passing offense. Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, despite leading the Big Ten in passing yards entering the game, struggled with accuracy and big plays against Illinois. Illinois coach Bret Bielema expressed confidence in his team, while Rutgers coach Greg Schiano acknowledged coaching and performance shortcomings to address going forward.