Illinois Rallies Late to Upset Rutgers 38-31
Illinois mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Rutgers 38-31 in Week 13, with quarterback Luke Altmyer leading the Illini's offensive explosion down the stretch. After trailing through three quarters, Illinois outscored Rutgers 23-14 in the final period to secure the victory and cover the spread as a 2-point underdog.
Altmyer finished as the game's passing leader with 249 yards, connecting with Pat Bryant for a 40-yard touchdown and a 64-yard completion that set up a crucial score. The fourth quarter proved decisive, with Illinois mounting two separate scoring drives that proved too much for the Scarlet Knights to overcome.
Rutgers' Athan Kaliakmanis led all rushers with 84 yards, while his teammate Ian Strong caught five passes for 66 yards. Rutgers started strong, scoring 17 points through the first half, but Illinois' second-half adjustments ultimately prevailed. The game lived up to its high-octane billing with 16 lead changes and a win probability that swung as much as 44.78 percent at various points. The total of 69 points exceeded the 48-point over-under line.
AI-generated recap · Sep 2, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Illinois | 0 | 9 | 6 | 23 | 38 |
 Rutgers | 3 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Illinois | Rutgers |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 12-26 | 18-36 |
| Pass Yards | 249 | 174 |
| Rush Yards | 182 | 213 |
| Total Yards | 431 | 387 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| 3rd Down | 4-10 | 8-14 |
| Penalties | 11-93 | 6-73 |
| Possession | 25:38 | 34:22 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Illinois Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the ILL 20
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Aidan Laughery run for 3 yds to the ILL 23
PINTON, Fabrizio punt 29 yards to the RU48 out of bounds, clock 14:06. PENALTY RU Roughing the Kicker on LUSARDI, Joe enforced 15 yards from the ILL23 to the ILL38 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [FAKE PUNT]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Josh McCray run for 9 yds to the ILL 47
Josh McCray run for 4 yds to the RUTG 49 for a 1ST down
Josh McCray run for 2 yds to the RUTG 47
Illinois Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the ILL 48
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Aidan Laughery for 5 yds to the RUTG 47
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Fabrizio Pinton punt for 27 yds
Kyle Monangai run for 3 yds to the RUTG 23
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Ian Strong for 12 yds to the RUTG 35 for a 1ST down
Kyle Monangai run for 2 yds to the RUTG 37
Kyle Monangai run for 7 yds to the RUTG 44
Kyle Monangai run for 3 yds to the RUTG 47 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 20 yds to the ILL 33 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Ian Strong for 11 yds to the ILL 22 for a 1ST down
Antwan Raymond run for 3 yds to the ILL 19
Kyle Monangai run for 4 yds to the ILL 15
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Jai Patel 34 yd FG GOOD
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Pat Bryant for 18 yds to the ILL 43 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer run for 9 yds to the RUTG 48
Ca'Lil Valentine run for 7 yds to the RUTG 41 for a 1ST down
(04:20) ALTMYER, Luke pass to the left complete for 15 yards to CAPKA-JONES, Alexander caught at the RU34 and advanced to the RU26 (LOYAL, Shaquan), clock 04:12. PENALTY ILL Ineligible Receiver Downfield on Pass on HENDERSON, Brandon enforced 5 yards from the RU41 to the RU46 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Ca'Lil Valentine run for 3 yds to the RUTG 43
Aidan Laughery run for 6 yds to the RUTG 37
Illinois Penalty, turnover on downs. PENALTY Personal Foul on PRIESTLY, Melvin enforced (-15 Yards) to the RUTG 49
Hugh Robertson punt for 30 yds
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Jakob Anderson punt for 50 yds , Hank Beatty returns for 59 yds to the RUTG 10
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Luke Altmyer run for a loss of 1 yard to the RUTG 11 Luke Altmyer fumbled, recovered by ILL Luke Altmyer L. Altmyer return for 0 yds
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
David Olano 29 yd FG GOOD
Kyle Monangai run for 7 yds to the RUTG 32
Kyle Monangai run for 2 yds to the RUTG 34
Kyle Monangai run for 4 yds to the RUTG 38 for a 1ST down
Kyle Monangai run for 7 yds to the RUTG 45
Kyle Monangai run for 4 yds to the RUTG 49 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Mike Higgins for 11 yds to the ILL 40 for a 1ST down
Antwan Raymond run for 2 yds to the ILL 38
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Dymere Miller for 11 yds to the ILL 27 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Ian Strong for 15 yds to the ILL 12 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 12 yds for a TD (Jai Patel KICK)
Jack Scullion kickoff for 54 yds , Hank Beatty return for 17 yds to the ILL 28
Josh McCray run for 1 yd to the ILL 29
(08:37) ALTMYER, Luke pass deep to the left incomplete intended for FRANKLIN, Zakhari thrown to the RU40, clock 08:29. PENALTY RU Pass Interference on MASCOE, Bo enforced 15 yards to the ILL44 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Josh McCray run for 4 yds to the ILL 48
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Pat Bryant for 13 yds to the RUTG 39 for a 1ST down
Josh McCray run for 17 yds to the RUTG 22 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer run for 10 yds to the RUTG 12 for a 1ST down
Ca'Lil Valentine run for 1 yd to the RUTG 11
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Illinois Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the RUTG 16
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Hank Beatty for 16 yds for a TD (David Olano PAT MISSED)
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Kyle Monangai for 7 yds to the RUTG 32
Kyle Monangai run for 2 yds to the RUTG 34
Kyle Monangai run for 5 yds to the RUTG 39 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to KJ Duff for 12 yds to the ILL 49 for a 1ST down
Kyle Monangai run for no gain to the ILL 49
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Ian Strong for 11 yds to the ILL 38 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 8 yds to the ILL 30
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Kyle Monangai run for 6 yds to the ILL 24 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Kyle Monangai for 3 yds to the ILL 21
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 8 yds to the ILL 13 for a 1ST down
Kyle Monangai run for 3 yds to the ILL 10
Kyle Monangai run for 6 yds to the ILL 4
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 2 yds to the ILL 2 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Ian Strong for 2 yds for a TD (Jai Patel KICK)
Illinois Penalty, Delay Of Game (TEAM) to the ILL 32
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Collin Dixon for 5 yds to the ILL 37
End of 2nd Quarter
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 1 yd to the RUTG 36
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
KALIAKMANIS, Athan pass deep to the left incomplete intended for DUFF, KJ thrown to the ILL26, clock 13:22. PENALTY ILL Roughing the Passer on BRIGGS JR., Dennis enforced 15 yards from the RU36 to the ILL49 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Kyle Monangai run for a loss of 3 yards to the RUTG 48
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Jakob Anderson punt for 36 yds , Hank Beatty returns for no gain to the ILL 16
Aidan Laughery run for 6 yds to the ILL 22
Aidan Laughery run for no gain to the ILL 22
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Hugh Robertson punt for 37 yds , Christian Dremel returns for 8 yds to the RUTG 49
Kyle Monangai run for 1 yd to the 50 yard line
Rutgers Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the RUTG 41
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Dymere Miller for 17 yds to the ILL 42
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 1 yd to the ILL 41 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 4 yds to the ILL 37 Athan Kaliakmanis fumbled, recovered by ILL Gabe Jacas G. Jacas return for 0 yds
Josh McCray run for 3 yds to the ILL 40
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Hank Beatty for 15 yds to the RUTG 45 for a 1ST down
Ca'Lil Valentine run for 9 yds to the RUTG 36
Ca'Lil Valentine run for 5 yds to the RUTG 31 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Josh McCray run for 1 yd to the RUTG 30
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Pat Bryant for 26 yds to the RUTG 4 for a 1ST down
Josh McCray run for 4 yds for a TD (Two-Point Conversion failed)
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Kyle Monangai run for 18 yds to the RUTG 43 for a 1ST down
Kyle Monangai run for a loss of 2 yards to the RUTG 41
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Illinois Penalty, Personal Foul (Gabe Jacas) to the ILL 44 for a 1ST down
Kyle Monangai run for 5 yds to the ILL 39
Kyle Monangai run for 16 yds to the ILL 23 for a 1ST down
Kyle Monangai run for 6 yds to the ILL 17
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Christian Dremel for 5 yds to the ILL 12 for a 1ST down
Kyle Monangai run for 2 yds to the ILL 10
Kyle Monangai run for 4 yds to the ILL 6
KALIAKMANIS, Athan pass up the middle incomplete intended for DUFF, KJ thrown to the ILL0, clock 00:50. PENALTY ILL Holding on PATTERSON, Kaleb enforced half the distance from the goal, 3 yards from the ILL6 to the ILL3 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Antwan Raymond run for 2 yds to the ILL 1
Athan Kaliakmanis run for no gain to the ILL 1
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 1 yd for a TD (Jai Patel KICK)
Aidan Laughery run for 3 yds to the ILL 28
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Pat Bryant for 64 yds to the RUTG 8 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Aidan Laughery run for 8 yds for a TD (David Olano KICK)
Kyle Monangai run for 5 yds to the RUTG 30
Kyle Monangai run for 2 yds to the RUTG 32
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Christian Dremel for 6 yds to the RUTG 38 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Christian Dremel for no gain to the RUTG 38
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to KJ Duff for 13 yds to the ILL 49 for a 1ST down
Kyle Monangai run for 3 yds to the ILL 46
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Jakob Anderson punt for 36 yds, fair catch by Hank Beatty at the ILL 10
Josh McCray run for 2 yds to the ILL 12
Luke Altmyer run for 13 yds to the ILL 25 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Pat Bryant for 15 yds to the ILL 40 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Luke Altmyer run for 2 yds to the ILL 42
ALTMYER, Luke pass deep to the right incomplete intended for BRYANT, Pat thrown to the RU40, clock 07:27. PENALTY RU Pass Interference on LONGERBEAM, Robert enforced at the spot of the foul for 13 yards to the RU45 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Ca'Lil Valentine run for a loss of 1 yard to the RUTG 46
ALTMYER, Luke pass to the right incomplete intended for BRYANT, Pat thrown to the RU34, clock 06:45. PENALTY ILL Pass Interference on BRYANT, Pat enforced 15 yards to the ILL39 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Rutgers Penalty, Defensive Holding (10 Yards) to the ILL 49 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer run for 5 yds to the RUTG 46
Josh McCray run for 4 yds to the RUTG 42
Luke Altmyer run for 1 yd to the RUTG 41 for a 1ST down
Josh McCray run for 4 yds to the RUTG 37
Luke Altmyer run for 7 yds to the RUTG 30 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer run for 30 yds for a TD (Luke Altmyer pass to Josh McCray for Two-Point Conversion)
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Dymere Miller for 10 yds to the RUTG 45 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Ian Strong for 15 yds to the ILL 40 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis run for no gain to the ILL 40
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 15 yds to the ILL 25 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass incomplete
Athan Kaliakmanis run for 12 yds to the ILL 13 for a 1ST down
Athan Kaliakmanis pass complete to Kyle Monangai for 13 yds for a TD (Jai Patel KICK)
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Collin Dixon for 11 yds to the ILL 36 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer sacked by Aaron Lewis for a loss of 4 yards to the ILL 32
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Pat Bryant for 21 yds to the RUTG 47 for a 1ST down
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
(00:34) ALTMYER, Luke pass to the right incomplete intended for BRYANT, Pat thrown to the RU38, clock 00:30. PENALTY RU Holding on LONGERBEAM, Robert enforced 10 yards from the RU47 to the RU37 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [SG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Luke Altmyer run for 2 yds to the RUTG 35
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Illinois Penalty, False Start (Alexander Capka-Jones) to the RUTG 40
Luke Altmyer pass incomplete
Luke Altmyer pass complete to Pat Bryant for 40 yds for a TD (Two-Point Conversion failed)
Team Safety