CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After an impressive, jack-of-all-trades performance in No. 22 Illinois’ win over USC, quarterback Luke Altmyer was named the Paul Hornung Player of the Week Award winner, given to the most versatile player in college football for Week 5.
Altmyer accounted for four total touchdowns in the team’s 34-32 Homecoming weekend win, an impressive performance his offense desperately needed.
Two of those touchdowns were passing touchdowns, one was a rushing touchdown and one was a receiving
touchdown by way of a Philly Special-esque trick play.
To go along with all of his scores, Altmyer added 328 passing yards and 28 total yards on the ground.
The Illini QB is the first player to have over 300 passing yards, a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in a Big Ten game in over 30 years.
He found his way into the Illini history books as well, becoming the first player to score a passing, receiving and rushing touchdown in the Orange-and-Blue since Kurt Kittner did it in 1999.
Altmyer’s huge performance continued until the very end of the game as well, as he was instrumental in marching the Illini down the field for a game-winning field goal that sent Gies Memorial Stadium into a frenzy.
This Saturday, Altmyer and the Illinois offense look to keep this positive momentum going, as they travel to West Lafayette, Ind. to take on the Purdue Boilermakers.
