Illinois took care of business on Saturday, defeating Western Michigan in a performance that was solid but still revealed areas for improvement as Big Ten play approaches.
The Illini offense leaned on the ground game, with the running backs controlling tempo and wearing down the Broncos’ defense. The passing attack was efficient but conservative, relying on short throws to move the chains and set up red-zone opportunities. Defensively, Illinois bent but didn’t break, tightening up in critical moments and holding Western Michigan to limited scoring chances.
The win moved the Illini to 3-0 on the season, setting the stage for their upcoming matchup against Indiana. While the result was never truly in doubt, there were stretches where execution lagged, and those lapses will need to be cleaned up against stronger conference opponents.
Player Grades
Quarterback: C+
Managed the offense, avoided major mistakes, but missed opportunities for chunk plays.
Running Backs: A-
Controlled the game with steady production and explosive runs in key situations.
Receivers: B-
Solid when called upon, but separation and consistency remain concerns.
Offensive Line: C
Struggled in pass protection at times and must show more dominance against better defenses.
Defensive Line: B+
Created pressure, held strong in the trenches, and dictated much of the game’s tempo.
Linebackers: B
Good pursuit and tackling, but some lapses in coverage left windows open.
Secondary: C+
Held their ground overall, but gave up too many short and intermediate completions.
Special Teams: B
Did their job without major issues — a reliable performance.
Advanced Metrics
Third-Down Efficiency: Illinois converted 7 of 12 (58%), a strong showing that kept drives alive and highlighted balanced playcalling.
Rushing Success Rate: The Illini rushed for 163 yards on 35 attempts (4.6 yards per carry) with 3 touchdowns. Both Kaden Feagin (5.0 YPC, 100 yards) and Ca’Lil Valentine (6.3 YPC, 63 yards) consistently moved the chains, while Luke Altmyer added a short rushing score.
Passing Efficiency: Luke Altmyer was sharp, completing 17 of 26 passes (65%) for 196 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs. That works out to an adjusted yards per attempt of 8.2, an efficient outing even without gaudy yardage totals.
Explosive Plays: Illinois generated three chunk gains of 20+ yards — Ashton Hollins’ 41-yard touchdown, Malik Elzy’s 25-yard reception, and Ca’Lil Valentine’s 23-yard run. Hollins (20.5 avg) and Elzy (25.0 avg) were the only players averaging over 20 yards per catch.
Red-Zone Efficiency: The Illini converted 4 of 5 trips (80%) into points, showing improved execution in pressure situations.
Special Teams Impact: Freshman kicker David Olano stayed perfect (1/1 FG, 5/5 XP, 8 points total), while punter Keelan Crimmins flipped the field with a 46.5-yard average on 4 punts. Hank Beatty added 72 all-purpose yards (receiving + returns) and a touchdown, giving Illinois a steady boost in field position.
Takeaway
Illinois got the job done against Western Michigan, but the tape shows plenty to address before Indiana. The offensive line’s protection and the passing game’s lack of rhythm are the biggest storylines moving forward. Still, the defense showed resilience, and the ground game gives the Illini a dependable foundation.
If Illinois can shore up protection and hit a few more explosive plays through the air, they’ll be in much better shape as the heart of the Big Ten schedule arrives.
📌 Next up: Indiana — a true measuring stick for how far this team has come.
