CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Hank Beatty’s versatility was on full display in the homecoming win over USC. The Rochester grad leaned on his high school roots with the touchdown pass to Luke Altmyer in the first half, a part of his game he’s been waiting to utilize at Illinois.

“I kind of just, hope it gets called,” Beatty said. “Coach Lunney came up to me before the game and said he might call it, so I had that in the back of my mind and was thinking about it and getting ready to execute it.” “I thought everybody did a great job of executing it, so it was a cool play to carry out.”

“I trusted him with my job, Coach B, we trust him with this program, that’s why we put the ball in his hands a bunch,” Illini wide receivers coach Justin Stepp said. “You just can’t say enough about him, man.” “That’s a testament to a guy that has gotten here and worked his tail off to get to where he is and probably had all the opportunities in the world to leave and do something else, but he trusted the process and just has continued to get better.”

Beatty had another big day with six catches for 81 yards. He also threw a key block to spring Kaden Feagin’s big touchdown catch and run, a challenging skill set for Purdue to prepare for this week.

Beatty was praised by Bret Bielema after the game.

What more can Hank? He should play defense, I want to get an interception.” Bielema said with a smile.

“He’s a fun kid. He took a pretty big shot that early last week.” “I knew he’d kind of come back in a big way.” “We had some of those plays, we just haven’t got to them, and I know Barry really likes him in that position and what he can do.”