No. 11 Illinois Football Defeats Duke 45-19 in Road Upset

The No. 11 Illinois Fighting Illini secured a commanding 45-19 road victory over Duke, capitalizing on five Duke turnovers to dominate the second half. Quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Hank Beatty contributed significantly with eight catches for 128 yards and a rushing touchdown. Despite an uneven first half marked by negative rushing yards and four sacks allowed, Illinois' defense tightened up in the second half, preventing any sacks and limiting Duke's scoring. Duke quarterback Darian Mensah threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns but struggled with ball security, contributing to his team's minus-6 turnover margin over two games. Illinois coach Bret Bielema expressed confidence in his team's potential as a national contender, highlighting the team's experienced roster and strong performance despite some defensive lapses. This win enhances Illinois' stature in the AP Top 25 and sets the stage for their upcoming home game against Western Michigan.