Former NFL QB on being on mission for Christ

At No. 17 in the latest AP poll, Illinois (5-1) enters its home showdown with No. 1 Ohio State (5-0) on Saturday riding confidence built on experience, accountability and steady play from its veteran quarterback, Luke Altmyer. The spotlight is bright, but Altmyer has spent much of his college journey preparing for moments like this.

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Through the first six games of the 2025 season, Altmyer has completed 109 of 148 passes for 1,573 yards (sixth in the nation), with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions — a stellar 73.6% completion rate and a passer rating of 189.7 (also sixth in the nation). He’s added two rushing touchdowns and a receiving score as well.

Just felt like reliving some of Luke Altmyer’s Week 5 highlights 🍿@lukealtmyer9 x @IlliniFootball pic.twitter.com/mW1jwZCGJC

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) September 29, 2025

Those numbers build on a strong 2024 season in which Altmyer threw for 2,717 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 217 yards and four more scores. The steady production underscores his evolution from a talented transfer into one of the Big Ten’s most reliable quarterbacks.

“I’m playing well and doing good things because I trust the people around me,” he said following the Illini’s 43-27 win over Purdue on Saturday. “I’m very comfortable in what we’re doing and the people I’m doing it with. I don’t have a doubt when I go out on that field and I’m very thankful for that. The work we put in — the work ethic — eliminates fear and we’ve certainly put in our part. So we’re just out there playing free. I go out there so excited just to play the game I love.”

The only blemish on Illinois’ résumé so far is a 63-10 loss at Indiana on Sept. 20, a humbling moment that Altmyer says ultimately strengthened the team’s faith and resolve.

In a college football landscape defined by constant turnover, Altmyer has found rare continuity at Illinois. Having largely the same offensive line and the same offensive coordinator has helped him settle into a system that fits his strengths.

“Just a lot of connection and maturity,” he said following his team’s 34-32 win over USC on Sept. 27. “It’s an older group. We’ve been there, done that. We’ve had our fair share of adversities and successes. We just know how to do the right thing. That’s the bottom line.

“I thank Jesus for being so faithful for allowing us to go through those things to grow our faith. That’s where the true success is. Our character and our faiths and our love for each other is just so deep. We’re a confident group.”

“I thank Jesus for being so faithful for allowing us to go through those things to grow our faith. That’s where the true success is.”

Illinois QB @lukealtmyer9 pointing to the Lord after a big win over USCpic.twitter.com/iPLYh3acx2

— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) September 27, 2025

Altmyer’s maturity has also been shaped by time and perspective. Now in his fifth year of college football, the Mississippi native has learned how to navigate both success and hardship.

“I’ve been in college for five years. I’ve seen it all — good and bad,” he said Saturday. “I’m using the good and bad to be better in the individual moment of the day. I’m maximizing everything I’ve got.”

He played sparingly over two years at Ole Miss before finding a home at Illinois. In his three years with the Illini, he’s garnered praise for both his play on the field but also his leadership and maturity. Teammates say he’s someone who’s steady and approachable, and someone willing to listen as much as he speaks, according to Illinois blog Armchair Illini.

He often prays before games, and after losses he’s often the first to encourage his teammates. In victory, he’s quick to deflect the praise to his teammates, and ultimately to Christ.

“I want my teammates to see that I’m not just playing for myself,” he said in a past interview. “My identity is not found in a scoreboard or a stat sheet. It’s found in Christ.”

He also expresses his faith on social media. “Christ is all I have. Apart from Him I can do no good,” he posted recently on Instagram.

At the Big Ten Media Days in July, he was asked about the biggest thing he’s learned about himself. Altmyer mentioned humility and cited 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

“Let it be your ambition to lead a quiet life, to work with your hands and mind your business,” he paraphrased, adding, “… It’s so easy to talk about yourself and fill yourself and think you’re all that. But in reality, I’m in need of a Savior, and that’s Jesus.”

As he’s matured in his faith, he’s grown more confident on the field — a big reason for Illinois’ rise over the past few seasons. After going 5-7 in Altmyer’s first season in Illinois, the Illini finished 10-3 last season with a Citrus Bowl win over South Carolina.

“I just praise God for gifting me all the abilities I’ve got,” he said Saturday. “I’m just there to thank Him in the ordinary things and the way I lead, the way I encourage, the way I communicate and the way I play. I play hard for Him.”

Illinois and Ohio State kick off at 12 p.m. ET Saturday on Fox.

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