NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
The last time Penn State played against Luke Altmyer, he threw four interceptions and was sacked once in the Nittany Lions’ 30-13 win over Illinois last year.
Altmyer has cut down on his turnovers through four games this season, which has led to the Illini getting off to their first 4-0 start since 2011.
“They’re putting up some really good numbers,” Penn State coach James Franklin said Monday. “I think the biggest difference is the quarterback (Altmyer). He has 10 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. He’s one of the most improved players in the country.”
The ninth-ranked Lions (3-0) meet Altmyer again when they take on No. 19 Illinois (1-0, 4-0) Saturday night at 7:30 (TV-NBC) at Beaver Stadium.
The 6-2, 205-pound Altmyer was a four-star prospect out of Starkville, Miss., who played at Mississippi for two seasons before transferring to Illinois last year.
Abdul Carter, Cam Miller, Daequan Hardy and Johnny Dixon intercepted him in that Penn State win last year at Champaign, Ill. He completed 64.8% of his passes last year for 1,993 yards and 13 touchdowns with 10 interceptions before he missed the final three games with an injury.
This season, he’s completing 71.4% of his attempts for 862 yards. Last week at Nebraska, he went 21-for-27 for 236 yards and four TDs and threw the game-winning pass in overtime. He was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
“He’s doing a really good job of managing the game,” Franklin said. “He’s throwing completions for a high percentage. He’s protecting the football. He’s getting the ball into the end zone. He’s really doing a nice job.”
Illinois has defeated Eastern Illinois, Kansas, Central Michigan and Nebraska. The Illini rank 51st in the country in scoring (32.3), 73rd in rushing (156.5), 77th in passing (222.8) and 82nd in total…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-defense-faces-improved-034600527.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2024-09-24 03:46:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
