CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois football is 11-4 in one-score games during the last three seasons. The common denominator in those three seasons is the man behind center.

Luke Altmyer has had six game-winning drives during his Illinois career, including against USC, where his 49-yard drive set up David Olano’s last-second field goal. No other quarterback in the nation has had as many late drives to lead his team to victory.

“I feel really good about our guy,” said head coach Bret Bielema when asked about Altmyer’s consistent performances in crunch time. “Situational football awareness I think we take a lot of pride in as coaches. I demand a lot of them in those areas, and players take pride in it. I think Luke’s a walking example of it.”

The list of one-score wins includes last season’s overtime win over Purdue, one of five such wins in the 2024 season. Illinois travels to face the Boilermakers on Saturday, October 4 at 11 a.m.