Advertisement

Illinois football vs Central Michigan: Final score, highlights from Week 3 game

dave eminian, peoria journal star
·12 min read

The Illinois Fighting Illini football team scored two second-half touchdowns and never trailed to put away Central Michigan, 30-9, in its final tuneup Saturday before opening Big 10 Conference play.

The Illini took the field for the first time since its upset of then-nationally ranked Kansas, and extended their fast start to the season by improving to 3-0, marking the first time since 2011 Illinois has opened with three straight wins (6-0 in 2011).

Xavier Scott had his third interception in two games to kill a Central Michigan drive at the Illini 9, while Illinois kicker Ethan Moczulski hammered a school-record 59-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Illinois' offense awakened on the opening drive of the second half as quarterback Luke Altmyer took to the air for passes of 17 and 33, then hit Patrick Bryant in the end zone for 20 and a touchdown to boost the lead to 20-6.

The Illini added a 34-yard field goal from David Olano for 23-6 with 4:43 left in the third quarter.

Central Michigan had a first-and-goal at the Illinois 7 but after three straight incompletions settled for a 25-yard field goal from Tristan Mattson with less than 12 minutes left and trailed 23-9.

The Chippewas tried an onsides kick after that, but Illinois recovered, drew a pass interference penalty in the end zone to put the ball at the 1, and sent 250-pound running back Kaden Feagin pounding into the line for an easy touchdown and 30-9 lead with 9:34 left in the game.

The Illini went up 10-3 with 1:55 left in the first half on a 49-yard field goal from Olano.

The Illini built a 7-3 lead after the first quarter on a 12-play drive capped by an 11-yard TD throw from Altmyer to Bryant.

Bryant finished with 7 catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Altmyer was 19 of 29 for 242 yards and two touchdowns. One of those completions was to himself on a weird play where he caught his own pass after it was batted into the air at the line of scrimmage, ran ahead for three yards, and then was inadvertently tackled by a referee.

Illinois plays at No. 23 Nebraska next week, then goes to No. 8 Penn State the week after that.

What Illinois coach Bret Bielema said after win vs. Central Michigan

Bielema: "It wasn't pretty, I could feel this one coming a little bit since last Sunday. We put the Kansas game behind us and flipped the page to Central Michigan. Unfortunately, I think we made this a little more difficult than it needed to be. I think these teachable moments are a lot better on the end of victory than defeat, so I know we can make some things happen. I give a lot of credit to them. I thought our players persevered, especially in the second half and when they did it was fun to watch."

Bielema, on Zakhari Franklin, Pat Bryant: "Pat has grown so much from a year ago. When you can have two players of high caliber on opposite sides of the field, that's a very difficult thing to take care of defensively. Then if you have a good run game or a dynamic quarterback, which i think we do, it makes it hard to double both perimeter guys. I think it's going to be hard for teams to set up and defend us when those two guys have a lot of wins on the outside."

Bielema, on Ethan Moczulski: "It's been a work in progress with him, I think he was the best college kicker coming out of high school when he signed with Texas A&M. When his name came up, we brought him in on his official visit with his dad. His experience at A&M wasn't a very positive one when he talked about it. He wanted to know what he can do to maximize his leg strength. We did what we had to do to get him here thankfully and the first practice I thought 'Woah this guy is different'. In camp I want to say the first three or four practices he was perfect, never missed and hit one from 60 plus. Then he had a little bit of a soft tissue injury pop up so that's why we backed off him a little bit."

Patrick Bryant, on what he's learned about the team through three weeks: "We are a hard fighting team. Last week we played hard and this week we wanted to see how we can respond playing against a different team. We did have some hiccups this game, but we bounced back in the second half."

Ethan Moczulski, on his school record field goal: "It's pretty awesome, especially since it is my first college field goal. It felt smooth and I knew right off my foot that it was going in, which was a great feeling."

Illinois vs Central Michigan score updates

This section will be updated when the game begins.

1

2

3

4

F

Central Michigan

3

3

0

3

—

9

Illinois

7

6

10

7

—

30

FINAL: Luke Altmyer, Xavier Scott, Patrick Bryant lead 30-9 Illini win

Final stats: Luke Altmyer 19 of 29, 242 yards, 2 TD. Patrick Bryant 7 catches, 102 yards, 2 TD. Team rushed 29 times for 137 yards. Xavier Scott had an interception. Gabe Jacas 6 tackles (5 solo, 2 tfl, 1 sack).

Central Michigan Jordan Kwiatkowski game-high 12 tackles (8 solo). QB Joe Labas 12 of 25, 125 yards, 1 INT. Team rushed 33 times for 142 yards.

Kaden Feagin rams in from the 1

Illinois recovers an onsides kick, draws a pass interference penalty in the end zone that puts the ball at the 1, then hands off to 250-pound running back Kaden Feagin for an easy score and 30-9 lead with 9:34 left in the fourth quarter.

Illini stop Central Michigan at the 7

The Chippewas have first-and-goal on the Illinois 7, but Joe Labas throws three straight incompletions. They settle for another Mattson field goal, a little 25-yarder with 11:58 left to move within 23-9.

Great Scott, Xavier with another pick

Illinois kills a Central Michigan drive as defensive back Xavier Scott picks off quarterback Joe Labas on the Illini 9 with 2:25 left in the third quarter.

Scott had two interceptions -- including a pick-6 -- in Illinois' upset of then-ranked Kansas last week.

Olano tacks on with field goal

Illinois marches down to the Central Michigan 5 before a wave of penalties backs them up to the 16 and kills the drive. David Olano comes in and boots a 34-yard field goal for a 23-6 lead with 4:43 left in the third quarter.

Bryant in the end zone again

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) stiff arms Central Michigan Chippewas defensive lineman Jaden Davis (95) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) stiff arms Central Michigan Chippewas defensive lineman Jaden Davis (95) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois comes out throwing in the second half. Luke Altmyer hits Zakhari Franklin for 17 yards, then Collin Dixon for 33. He caps the scoring drive with a 20-yard TD pass to Patrick Bryant with 13:05 left in the third quarter. Just like that, the Illinois offense awakens and its 20-6.

HALFTIME: Illini 13, Central Michigan 6

Illinois receiver Patrick Bryant with five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown as the break arrives. The Illini had only 53 yards rushing on 15 carries in the first half.

Central Michigan rolled up 81 yards on the ground from 16 carries.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer is 12 of 17 for 118 yards and a TD throw in the first half. He completed a 3-yard pass to himself on a deflection.

Ethan Moczulski sets school record

The Illini send in kicker Ethan Moczulski to try a 59-yard field goal, and it's good with plenty of room to spare as time expires in the first half. That gives Illinois a 13-6 lead.

More: Illinois football kicker hits longest field goal in school history

Altmyer passes to ... Altmyer

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer's pass batted into the air at the line of scrimmage, and he catches it and takes off up the middle. He gains three yards to the Central Michigan 41, where he is tackled by -- the referee.

Mattson field goal cuts Illini lead

Tristan Mattson chips in a 29-yard field goal with 36 seconds left in the first half to pull Central Michigan within 10-6.

Myles Bailey ran up the gut for 35 yards to the Illinois 15 earlier in the drive to give the Chippewas a red zone chance.

Olano hits from 49

Illinois extends its lead to 10-3 on a 49-yard field goal from David Olano with 1:55 left in the first half.

Seth Coleman breaks up fourth-down play

Illinois linebacker Seth Coleman comes in off the edge as Central Michigan goes for it on fourth-and-two from the Illini 43 with 4:48 left in the first half. Coleman nearly sacks quarterback Joe Labas, hitting him from behind as he is throwing, to force an incomplete pass.

David Olano kick is no good

Illinois sends out kicker David Olano to try a 54-yard field goal, and it's an ugly-looking line drive that is no good. Score remains 7-3 Illinois with 9:17 left in the first half.

Miles Scott lowers the boom

Illinois defensive back Miles Scott lays out receiver Chris Parker with a huge hit over the middle, and two plays later Central Michigan punted.

Altmyer sacked to end drive

Elijah Rikard blitzes untouched to sack Illinois QB Luke Altmyer for a loss of 8 on third down, taking Illinois beyond field goal range in the opening minute of the second quarter.

Mattson boots Chippewas onto the board

Central Michigan gets on the board with a 32-yard field goal from redshirt sophomore Tristan Mattson to cap a 10-play, 62-yard drive that chewed up 5:07. That cuts Illinois' lead to 7-3 with 1:58 left in the first quarter.

Altmyer connects with Bryant for a touchdown

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer hits receiver Patrick Bryant for an 11-yard TD to open the scoring with 7:05 left in the opening quarter. Illini drive was 12 plays, 59 yards and erased 6:25 from the clock.

Illinois football recruiting: Four-star TE Mack Sutter scheduled to attend

Dunlap junior Mack Sutter is expected to attend the game today, according to a post earlier this week on X.com. The 6-foot-6 four-star Class of 2026 recruit made an unofficial campus visit to Ohio State last Saturday. Reports had him heading to Illinois for the upset over Kansas, but a change in family travel plans put him in Ohio.

Sutter and his Dunlap High School football team lost a heartbreaker Friday night, a 34-33 setback to Pekin. You can read the full recap and highlights from a busy Week 3 around Peoria, Illinois.

Illinois vs Central Michigan time today

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024

  • Time: 11 a.m. CT

  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

What channel is Illinois vs Central Michigan game on today?

Illinois will play Central Michigan at 11 a.m. CT from Memorial Stadium in Champaign. The game will be streamed exclusively on NBC's Peacock. Jac Collinsworth and Michael Robinson will call the game from the booth at Memorial Stadium, with Caroline Pineda reporting from the sidelines.

Why is Illinois playing on Peacock?

Illinois is playing on Peacock because it is part of the Big Ten's seven-year, $7 billion media rights deal, signed in 2022. Currently, Saturday's contest against Central Michigan is the only Illinois football game scheduled to be played on Peacock. The Peacock games are announced through Week 4. The remaining games will be announced during the season.

Illinois vs Central Michigan history

  • Series record: First meeting

  • Did you know? Illinois is 20-6 all-time against current MAC programs.

Illinois vs Central Michigan predictions

The entire staff of the Peoria Journal Star predicts Illinois to win this game easily against Central Michigan, leaning on its opportunistic defense and strong running game so far in 2024.

Illinois vs Central Michigan betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM, as of Saturday

Illinois vs Central Michigan injury updates

Illinois football has no players listed on the latest injury report at covers.com. Central Michigan football has seven players listed on the Sept. 13 injury report, including three listed as out: TE Alec Palella, WR Tyson Davis and DB Danny MacLean.

Illinois vs Central Michigan weather update

Expect another beautiful day in Champaign, Illinois. The forecast calls for temperatures of about 79 degrees to start the game and getting to the mid-80s by later afternoon. Expect clear skies and no precipitation.

Illinois football schedule 2024

See Illinois football ticket prices for every game this season

  • Thursday, Aug. 29: Illinois 45, Eastern Illinois 0

  • Saturday, Sept. 7:  Illinois 23, Kansas 17

  • Saturday, Sept. 14: Illinois vs. Central Michigan | 11 a.m. | Peacock (subscriber only)

  • Friday, Sept. 20: Illinois at Nebraska* | 7 p.m. | Fox (Fubo free trial)

  • Saturday, Sept. 28: Illinois at No. 7 Penn State*

  • Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE

  • Saturday, Oct. 12: Illinois vs. Purdue*

  • Saturday, Oct. 19: Illinois vs. No. 16 Michigan*

  • Saturday, Oct. 26: Illinois at No. 6 Oregon*

  • Saturday, Nov. 2: Illinois vs. Minnesota*

  • Saturday, Nov. 9: BYE

  • Saturday, Nov. 16: Illinois vs. Michigan State*

  • Saturday, Nov. 23: Illinois at Rutgers*

  • Saturday, Nov. 30: Illinois at Northwestern*

Central Michigan football schedule 2024

  • Thursday, Aug. 29: CMU 66, Central Connecticut State 10

  • Saturday, Sept. 7: Florida International 52, CMU 16

  • Saturday, Sept. 14: at Illinois | 11 a.m. | Peacock (subscriber only)

  • Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Ball State | 1 p.m.

  • Saturday, Sept. 28: vs San Diego State | TBA

  • Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE

  • Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Ohio | TBA

  • Saturday, Oct. 19: at Eastern Michigan | TBA

  • Saturday, Oct. 26: at Miami (Ohio) | TBA

  • Tuesday, Nov. 5: vs. Bowling Green | TBA

  • Tuesday, Nov. 12: at Toledo | 7 p.m.

  • Tuesday, Nov. 19: vs. Western Michigan | TBA

  • Saturday, Nov. 30: at Northern Illinois

Illinois football news

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois vs Central Michigan: Game updates, live score in college football