Even with a high-profile hiccup, No. 22 Illinois keeps clicking behind an explosive offense entering Saturday afternoon’s game against Big Ten Conference rival Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.
The Fighting Illini (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) are averaging 35.8 points a game, and yes, that includes the 63-10 loss in its conference opener at then-No. 19 Indiana on Sept. 20.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer rallied to rebound last week, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors in a 34-32 home win against then-No. 21 Southern California, passing for 328 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for one TD and even catching a scoring pass.
Altmyer’s 11 touchdown passes are tied for ninth-best in the country.
While wideout Hank Beatty has been splashy as the nation’s only player with passing, rushing, receiving and punt-return TDs, Justin Bowick is tops on the team with four touchdown receptions.
Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney said he thinks the 6-foot-4 Bowick’s size will be a concern for Purdue and going forward. A Ball State transfer, Bowick was limited to 20 receptions and three TDs last season due to injury. He began his collegiate career at Eastern Illinois.
“He’s a threat no matter where he’s at; he’s a good football player, and he’s going to continue to play for us and make an impact in games,” Lunney said. “But obviously, he’s done a great job with his opportunities. … J-Bo, he’s been a nice threat for us.”
Purdue (2-2, 0-1), meanwhile, is coming off a bye week in which it sought to make bygones out of the past two games.
During a 33-17 home loss to Southern Cal on Sept. 13 and a 56-30 defeat at then-No. 24 Notre Dame a week later, the Purdue defense yielded 32 plays of at least 10 yards. That included 11 plays of more than 20 yards.
Meanwhile, Purdue’s offense averaged only 2.3 yards per carry in those defeats and is averaging just 3.1 this season.
“It gave us a lot of time to sit back and really, truly evaluate,” Boilermakers defensive coordinator Mike Scherer said. “No one’s feelings are getting hurt. Nothing like that. There’s no egos, there’s no nothing. We look at it and say, ‘OK, here’s what’s been good, here’s what’s been bad. How do we move forward and play better?'”
Purdue will aim to ramp up the pressure against Altmyer and the Illinois attack. Defensive back Myles Slusher recorded Purdue’s lone sack at Notre Dame as the defense generated just two tackles for loss.
Offensively, the Boilermakers showed some pizzazz, as quarterback Ryan Browne caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Devin Mockobee in addition to throwing for 250 yards and a score against Notre Dame.
“I think where he’s at, I think he’s playing really well,” Purdue coach Barry Odom said of Browne. “I think he can play better. Ryan will tell you that, too.”
Purdue leads the all-time series 48-46-6, but Illinois boasts recent bragging rights after earning a 50-49 overtime victory at home last season. Altmyer passed for a career-best 379 yards while accounting for four total touchdowns, including three through the air.
