Luke Altmyer, No. 22 Illinois too strong for Purdue

Luke Altmyer passed for a career-best 390 yards and a touchdown and Kaden Feagin rushed for two scores, lifting No. 22 Illinois to a 43-27 victory against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Angelo McCollum had 1 1/2 sacks for the Fighting Illini (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten), who forced two fumbles.

Devin Mockobee scored on a 1-yard run with 12:34 to go to pull Purdue (2-3, 0-2) within 13 points at 40-27. Illinois sacked Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt.

Browne was 30 of 50 for 302 yards and a touchdown while adding a 1-yard rushing TD to open the scoring.

Altmyer completed 19 of his 22 passes and David Olano kicked field goals of 35, 42, 45 and 40 yards.

Illinois erupted over its final five possessions of the first half, racking up 331 yards over that span.

That included 267 yards through the air behind a near-perfect performance from Altmyer, who completed 13 of 14 passes with a touchdown before intermission.

Hank Beatty surpassed his career high for receiving yards ahead of halftime with 137 on four catches. He added another catch for 49 yards.

Beatty hauled in a 62-yard scoring pass from Altmyer with 12:50 remaining in the second quarter to give Illinois the lead for good at 10-7.

Ca'Lil Valentine added 22 carries for 95 yards and a TD.

Illinois scored 24 unanswered points to open the second quarter before Browne hit Corey Smith for a 60-yard touchdown pass with 1:13 left before halftime. Smith, who entered the game with 49 yards on four catches this season, broke free after Illinois defenders bit on an underneath route.

The Fighting Illini moved in position for a 42-yard Olano field goal that put Illinois ahead 27-14 at halftime.

Michael Jackson III had 14 catches for 94 yards for Purdue while Smith contributed 83 yards on three receptions.

Antonio Harris (four carries, 69 yards) and Mockobee (11 carries, 58 yards) both had rushing TDs for Purdue.

--Field Level Media