CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Illinois continued its late-season surge Saturday afternoon, putting together one of its most complete performances of the year in a 24–6 victory over Maryland at Gies Memorial Stadium. The win moves the Fighting Illini to 7–3 overall and 5–1 at home, while securing their second straight victory as the regular season winds toward its close.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer once again set the tone, accounting for 234 total yards (172 passing, 62 rushing) and throwing two touchdown passes to wide receiver Hudson Clement. With those scoring strikes, Altmyer moved into a tie with Juice Williams for second-most touchdown passes in Illinois history (56) and became the first Illini ever to record back-to-back seasons with 20+ touchdown passes.
Clement delivered his most productive game in orange and blue, hauling in 72 yards and notching the second and third touchdowns of his Illinois career. On the ground, bruising back Kaden Feagin powered in his sixth rushing touchdown of the season, while a 33-yard field goal from David Olano in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach.
Illinois’ defense held Maryland to six total points — all in the first half — and pitched a second-half shutout while allowing no sustained drives. Matthew Bailey spearheaded the effort with 10 tackles, and the front produced one of the night’s biggest moments when Gabe Jacas and Pat Farrell combined for a sack, just the fourth Maryland has allowed all season. The takedown also moved Jacas into a tie with Scott Davis for second-most career sacks in program history (23.0).
With win No. 35, head coach Bret Bielema set the record for most wins by an Illinois coach in his first five seasons, surpassing Mike White’s 34 from 1980–84. The Illini are now within one victory of tying the program’s two-year wins record (18) and have secured back-to-back 7-win seasons for the first time since 2010–11.
Illinois’ broader trajectory under Bielema continues to impress:
— 30 wins over the last four seasons, tied for the program’s best four-year stretch since 1981–84.
— A dominant 11–2 home mark at Gies Memorial Stadium over the past two seasons, tying the record for the venue’s best two-year run.
