Illini open season with 45-0 laugher against Eastern Illinois

Illinois kicked off the 100th-anniversary season of Memorial Stadium with a bang with a 45-0 rout against Eastern Illinois on Thursday night in Champaign.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer was sharp, completing 19 of 24 passes for 213 yards before being pulled.

He had four touchdowns: a 15-yarder to Pat Bryant and a five-yarder to Tanner Arkin in the first quarter; and a nine-yarder to Bryant and a 34-yarder to Malik Elzy in the second quarter.

Kaden Feagin (16 carries, 108 yards) and Josh McCray added touchdown runs in the second half.

The Illini defense got four takeaways, including an interception by Torrie Cox Jr.

Starting his fourth season, Illini coach Bret Bielema improved to 19-19.

EIU quarterback Pierce Holley, who passed for 2,741 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, was 16-for-32 for 147 yards.