CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 17 Illinois fell to No. 1 Ohio State, 34-16, in front a sellout crowd at Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The top-ranked Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) were opportunistic in the short field scoring 24 points on drives that started inside the 40-yard line. Illinois (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) uncharacteristically turned the ball over three times, leading to 21 of the points.
Luke Altmyer threw for 248 yards and one touchdown on 30-of-44 passing. Collin Dixon caught four passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, while Aidan Laughery added 50 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Matthew Bailey led the Illini defense with eight tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
After the Buckeyes opened the game with 20 unanswered points, Illinois got on the board with one minute remaining before the half by David Olano’s 24-yard field goal.
Altmyer led a 12 play, 75-yard drive downfield to open up the second half. It was crowned by a one-yard Laughery touchdown to bring the Illini within 10, 20-10. The score, off an option pitch from Hank Beatty, is the first rushing touchdown surrendered by the Ohio State defense this season.
Ohio State extended its lead to 34-10 with the addition of two touchdowns. Illinois narrowed the deficit to 34-16 late in the fourth quarter, when Altmyer connected with Dixon for a four-yard touchdown.
The Fighting Illini are off next week and return to action on Saturday, Oct. 25 for a trip to Seattle to take on Washington. Kick off time has yet to be announced.
