9

Central Michigan
CMU

1-2, 0-0

30

Winner

Illinois
SICK

3-0, 0-0

Central Michigan
CMU

1-2, 0-0

9

30

Winner

Score per quarter

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	F
CMU Central Michigan	3	3	0	3	9
SICK Illinois	7	6	10	7	30

Match Summary: Football | September 14, 2024

TO SUMMARIZE

CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – Illinois closed out its three-game homecoming streak with a Homecoming victory over Central Michigan, 30-9, at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Four consecutive scoring drives between the second and third quarters put the Fighting Illini 3-0 on the season, their best start to a season since 2011.

Pat Bryant recorded the third 100-yard game of his career, finishing with 102 yards on seven catches. He also recorded two receiving scores, his second multi-touchdown game of the season and the third of his career.

Lucas Altmyer went 19-for-29 with 242 yards and two passing touchdowns, both of which Pat Bryant on the receiving end.

Josh McCray And Ca’Lil Valentine eclipsed the 50-yard mark on the ground, with McCray totaling eight carries and a team-best 54 rushing yards. Valentine averaged 10.6 yards per carry on his five rushes and career-most 53 yards.

Xavier Scott recorded his third interception in the third quarter, the most on the team. It was his second straight game with an interception.

After the Illini defense forced a three-and-out on the Chippewas’ opening possession, the Orange and Blue offense quickly found its rhythm. Illinois worked its way down the field and cashed in on two third downs, but Illinois faced a fourth-and-4 at the CMU 30-yard line. A completion to Franklin, his third of the drive, got the chains moving before Kaden Feagin took a 14-yard carry to the red zone.

Altmyer found a wide open Pat Bryant on the next play for an 11-yard touchdown to open the scoring and complete a 12-play, 59-yard drive.

Central Michigan cut the deficit with a field goal on its next possession, before both teams gave up a point on their next possession. With CMU driving into Illinois territory, the Illini forced a turnover on downs, putting the offense back in action near midfield.

A 16-yard Valentine rush highlighted the ensuing trip down the field, and the Illini extended their lead to 10-3 with a 49-yard field goal from David Olano with less than two minutes left until half time.

The Chippewas responded with a field goal of their own late in the second quarter, but the Illini recovered immediately to make history.

With 36 seconds left on the clock, Illinois took over and entered CMU territory with a 31-yard strike. Pat Bryant. Spades Ethan Moczulski’s The first attempted field goal at the college level went through the uprights as time expired from 59 yards, setting a new program record.

Illinois double-dipped with a scoring drive right after the break. A 17-yard pass to Franklin opened the drive before Collin Dixons 33-yard catch-and-run brought the Illini into the Chippewa half of the field. On the fourth play of the possession, Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a 20-yard score, putting the home team up 20-6, via touchdown less than two minutes into the second half.

An Illinois sack on third-and-long ended the Chippewas’ next possession, and the Illini used another long scoring drive to extend their lead. 10 plays and 62 yards later, Olano connected for his second field goal of the afternoon, this time from 34 yards out.

CMU fired its third field goal of the day on its next drive, but Illinois again answered right back. The Illini began their possession in Central Michigan territory, and a career-long 22-yard Valentine carry put the home team in the red zone. After the hosts were inside the 5-yard line, Feagin found the end zone on a 2-yard carry, giving the Illini a 30-9 lead.

Illinois (3-0) travels to No. 23 Nebraska next week for the Illini’s first road game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday at 7:00 p.m. CT on FOX.

HIGHLIGHTS

Coming soon.

PRESS CONFERENCE

Coming soon.

POST-GAME NOTES

Team Notes

Player Notes

QUOTES

Opening Statement:

Coming soon.