Illini now

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Beating Purdue and Keeping the Cannon

The Illini sustained their momentum with a victory in West Lafayette, Indiana, and social media had plenty to say about it
Pranav Hegde|
Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Hank Beatty (80) gestures after making a first down against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Hank Beatty (80) gestures after making a first down against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

In this story:

Illinois Fighting IlliniPurdue Boilermakers

The Illini are rolling again. After getting a scare from Purdue a season ago (and only two weeks removed from a shocking beatdown at Indiana), Illinois took care of business against the Boilermakers – and this time, in far more convincing fashion. It wasn’t always pretty, but the end result was exactly what Bret Bielema and his group needed: a 5-1 record and a step closer to bowl eligibility. One more win, and the Illini will officially be postseason-bound. The question now is whether that sixth win can come next week – when No. 1 Ohio State rolls into Champaign.

Before turning the page to the biggest game Memorial Stadium has hosted in years, it’s worth giving credit where it’s due. Purdue might not be a Big Ten power, but the Boilers have already come a long way from last season’s one-win campaign. With a revamped roster and a more balanced attack, they made Illinois work for it early. The Illini started slow, falling behind 7–0 in the first quarter, but eventually found their rhythm (at least on the offensive side of the ball).

A field goal in the second quarter finally got Illinois on the board, and soon after, the defense delivered one of its signature momentum-shifting plays. Another forced fumble set up quarterback Luke Altmyer and the offense in prime position, and Altmyer wasted no time taking advantage, finding Hank Beatty for a touchdown strike on the very next snap. That play lit the spark Illinois needed. The Illini poured on 27 points in the second quarter alone, turning a shaky start into a killer half of football fueled by Altmyer’s poise and precision.

The second half didn’t yield quite the same fireworks, but Illinois remained firmly in control. A muffed punt by Purdue gave the Illini another short field to extend their lead, and from there, the defense did its job, closing out the game with steady pressure and strong tackling. The only tense moment came on a fourth-and-1 late in the game when Illinois was stopped short, but the defense immediately forced a turnover on downs to put things to rest.

Now all eyes shift to next weekend and the return of "Big Noon Kickoff" to Champaign as Illinois prepares for the nation’s top-ranked team. But before the focus turns to the Buckeyes, Illini Nation took a moment to celebrate another win in the books and flex on social media as a fanbase that is finally starting to believe it's team is for real.

Illini Enemy No. 1: Ryan Browne

ValentineVision

Down on the defense

Best duo in the Big Ten?

Illinois renewing its patent on the 'Peanut Punch'

Feed Feagin!

David Olano: The gift that keeps giving

Luke Altmyer: One of one

Hank Beatty: Get to know him!

Thank you ... Taylor Swift?

Champaign is Cannon Country

Jeremiah Smith is going to be a problem

Go get your flowers, Illini

Published
Pranav Hegde
PRANAV HEGDE

Primarily covers Illinois football, basketball and golf, with an emphasis on news, analysis and features. Hegde, an electrical engineering student at Illinois with an affinity for sports writing, has been writing for On SI since April 2025. He can be followed and reached on Instagram @pranavhegde__.

Home/Football