Three Key Stats From Illinois Football's Win Over Western Michigan

Illinois closed out non-conference play in dominant fashion, blanking Western Michigan 38-0 before a sold-out Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday. The Illini flexed their balance on both sides of the ball, pairing a suffocating defense with a versatile offense to leave no doubt.

The shutout capped a perfect start to the season, even if another slow start and a few lingering concerns haven't been completely put to rest. Are Bret Bielema's Illini ready for the challenges ahead? With Big Ten play and a trip to Indiana on deck, we'll know much more soon enough. In the meantime, here are three stats that defined Illinois’ third straight victory.

That 3-0 feeling. pic.twitter.com/MY2SVwIhO5
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 14, 2025

3.8

Western Michigan managed just 3.8 yards per pass attempt, a number that highlights how suffocating the Illinois secondary was Saturday. The Broncos completed a few short throws early, but Illinois’ defensive backs swarmed to the ball, limiting yards after the catch and preventing explosive plays. Matthew Bailey and Xavier Scott, in particular, set the tone, working downhill to wrap up receivers in space and prevent the Broncos from extending drives. Good tackling has been a hallmark of this defense, and Saturday was another showcase of that skill.

The Illini made sure completions on underneath routes didn’t turn into first downs, and whenever the Broncos tried to stretch the field, the coverage held up. Holding any opponent under 4.0 yards per attempt is impressive; given the defense's stumbles early against the WMU offense, it was a significant win for Illinois' back end.

3

The Illinois rushing attack continues to prove its depth and versatility. Three different ball carriers – quarterback Luke Altmyer, power back Kaden Feagin and sophomore slasher Ca’Lil Valentine – found the end zone against Western Michigan. What lends this stat more heft is who wasn’t on the field – Aidan Laughery, who missed the game because of an injury.

The Illini ground game didn’t skip a beat without Laughery. Altmyer’s scrambling ability and threat on bootlegs and other planned runs adds another dimension. Feagin (103 rushing yards) flourished as the downhill hammer, while Valentine (63 yards on 10 carries) has given the offense a burst of explosiveness. The diversity of scoring threats speaks to the power of the system and demonstrates that Illinois doesn’t have to rely on any single player to move the chains or finish drives.

Kaden Feagin adds to the @IlliniFootball tally with the tuddy! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/j59rdRiX0a
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 14, 2025

9

Illinois’ defensive line clamped down in the second half, finishing with nine tackles for loss and three sacks. What began as a frustrating day turned into a clinic in gap control and disruption. The Illini front collapsed the pocket, shut down running lanes and routinely forced the Broncos behind the sticks after halftime. Bielema’s teams have always leaned on strong defensive line play, and Saturday was a prime example of how it can completely swing a game. Western Michigan simply couldn’t sustain drives once Illinois’ front locked in, and the shutout was the result.

Now the challenge becomes consistency. As stiffer competition looms, the Illini will need to carry over the same level of intensity and discipline for a full game, every game. A Week 4 trip to Bloomington is more than just the next game – it’s the start of a crucial stretch that could define the season. If Illinois is to maintain its top-10 status and build a playoff resume, the defensive front must play with the same effectiveness against the Hoosiers' high-scoring offense.