CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. Altmyer led Illinois to a 35-13 rout of Rutgers on Saturday with 323 yards of total offense and five total touchdowns.
Altmyer threw for 235 yards and ran for 88 yards to lead the Illinois offense. His career-high five touchdowns — four passing and one rushing — made him the first Illini to account for five touchdowns in a single game since 2013.
Altmyer's season-high 88 rushing yards came on only seven carries, as he ran for 12.6 yards per carry.
Including a game-opening 99-yard touchdown drive, Altmyer led Illinois to touchdowns on five of its first six possessions to build a 35-6 third-quarter lead. The win was Illinois' sixth of the seasons, as the Illini became postseason eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2010-11.
Altmyer, who also won the league's honor after beating USC earlier this season, is the first Illinois quarterback to win two Big Ten Player of the Week awards in the same season since 2008. He is the sixth Illini quarterback to win the award twice in a single season, joining Juice Williams (2008), Kurt Kittner (1999 and 2001), Johnny Johnson (1993), Jason Verduzco (1992), and Jeff George (1989).
Altmyer shared this week's Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award with Michigan's Jordan Marshall, who ran for 185 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Purdue.
Illinois is off this weekend before hosting Maryland on Nov. 15.
