After what happened last week in Bloomington, Indiana, No. 23 Illinois (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) really needed a big win. And boy, did they deliver.
Against No. 21 USC (4-1, 2-1 Big Ten) on a Saturday in Champaign, Illinois, the Fighting Illini found themselves trailing by one point with two minutes left. Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer then put together a game-winning drive and got the program into USC territory. What came next was nothing short of an unforgettable moment for the program.
Head Coach Bret Bielema Reveals Full Faith Held in Kicker David Olano
The big-time leg of Illinois’s placekicker David Olano took center stage. The junior drilled a game-winning 41-yard field goal, which was a walk-off and gave Illinois its homecoming win. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema admitted on his postgame radio show that while he did experience some nerves, he had full faith in Olano.
“I turned around and looked at Luke Altmyer before the final drive,” Bielema said. “He gave me a head nod and “that’s all I needed to see.”
#illini Bret Bielema on his postgame radio show: I turned around and looked at Luke Altmyer before the final drive. He gave me a head nod and “that’s all I needed to see.”
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) September 27, 2025
Bielema was named the 26th Fighting Illini head football coach in the program’s history in December 2020. An Illinois native himself, Bielema has over 25 years of collegiate coaching experience and compiled a 16-year record of 125-80 (.610) as head coach at Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Illinois.
Altmyer finished with 328 passing yards and completed 20 of his 26 passes, while adding 28 yards on the ground game. His receiving touchdown, the very first of his career, came off a pass from senior wide receiver Hank Beatty on a third-down trick play in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, across the sideline, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava went 30-of-43 for 364 yards with two touchdowns and one pick in the now-historic loss.
Olano stands at 5’11” and is also an Illinois native out of Naperville. The kicker is coming off a 2024 season that saw him make 17 field goals on 20 attempts.
ILLINOIS WALKS IT OFF
They’re storming the Field in Champaign! @BarstoolILL pic.twitter.com/Xcjs0i7nYo
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 27, 2025
Naturally, all eyes will now turn to Illinois after its latest win over the Trojans. The Fighting Illini will now turn their attention to taking on the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, October 4 in West Lafayette, Indiana.
While the loss last week against the Hoosiers was a setback, today’s victory was a step in the right direction for a school with legitimate Big Ten title aspirations.
