Bret Bielema Puts Luke Altmyer on Strong Notice Over Mistake That Nearly Cost Illinois Big Illinois' week 2 win against Duke had a separate narrative in the initial stage of the game that was rectifie

Illinois’ Week 2 road victory over Duke was one for the history books—a commanding 45–19 triumph that belied the tension and tight competition of the opening half. Early on, the contest was tighter than the final score suggests, with Illinois clinging to a narrow 14–13 lead amid a charged atmosphere. Things shifted drastically after halftime: The Fighting Illini overwhelmed Duke 31–6 during the last two quarters, sparked by opportunistic defense that recorded five takeaways—including four fumbles and a crucial interception by Tanner Heckel in the fourth. Under pressure, quarterback Luke Altmyer delivered, finishing with 296 yards and three touchdowns, completing 22 of 31 passes.

What changed between halves? The first half’s narrative diverged sharply from the result. Duke’s defensiv