History is always written by the winners.
In No. 22 Illinois’ 21-7 victory over reigning college football national champion No. 24 Michigan on Saturday, memories of the past were celebrated and, for the Illini faithful, the present provided hope for the future. They got to notch a piece of history themselves — this time, in their favor.
Saturday’s game, in front of a sellout crowd of 60,670, took place 100 years and one day after Red Grange’s iconic six-touchdown performance against Michigan during Memorial Stadium’s dedication game.
The Illini, decked out in 1920s throwback uniforms from the Grange era, jumped out to an early lead with a field goal on their first possession and never looked back. The energy in the stadium for the mostly orange crowd was a bit nervous at points because while Illinois had a lead, they just couldn’t count Michigan out. But as the clock wound down late in the fourth quarter, fans near the north end zone started singing and waving goodbye to the Wolverines and their fans who made the trip to Champaign.
For the second time in coach Bret Bielema’s four seasons, Illinois is off to a 6-1 start. The victory also snapped a 14-game losing streak against defending national champions and was the first time Illinois beat Michigan since Oct. 31, 2009.
With the past looming so large, Bielema was visibly emotional in his postgame news conference. He had improved to 4-3 in his coaching career against Michigan, but this game meant more than that.
“Last time we played these guys, I lost my mom,” a choked-up Bielema said, fighting back tears. “I told our team on Sunday I battled some demons, more than you can imagine. When I was a player, I lost my sister the day that we played Michigan. This game has always had a lot of things around it that has been tugging at my heart all week.
“That is what I came here for. I thought we could build Illinois into something that is sustainable, and this is a big step in that direction. To have our fan base get rewarded is massive. They’ve been through 24 years of no ranked matchups in Memorial Stadium. They’ve been buying tickets for a long time and to have this moment come to life in front of us was awesome.”
It wasn’t just the program’s past, but Bielema’s — both personal and professional — that went into the win. It was the kind of win a coach could hang his hat on. A signature win as a result of a hard-fought battle and a leader rallying his troops around the right message. But despite what the win meant for the history books, Bielema has grown tired of talking about the program’s failures.
“I have heard so many things about things we’ve never done, right? I love the things we’ve done. And I get it, I understand it, but I think that there’s one of my biggest challenges, or pet peeves, that I’ve had in my four years here. Let’s just leave the past in the past. Let’s move forward,” he said.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer is also mired in between the past and present.
Altmyer completed 9 of 18 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown against Michigan. He also had 48 rushing yards on 10 attempts with a touchdown. It was his second consecutive game with passing and rushing touchdowns. Altmyer’s performance Saturday was efficient and provided a glimpse of what a locked-in and in-control Altmyer might be. He’s becoming the quarterback to match the expectations thrust upon him when he transferred from Mississippi.
In his first year in Champaign, Altmyer and Illinois went 3-5 in the first eight games before an injury ended his season. Prior to the injury, Altmyer went 175-for-270 passing with 1,883 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He had 94 carries for 282 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Many questioned whether Altmyer was the guy to lead the Illini, and whether or not he had the right tools to make plays and win games. Now, Altmyer is using the past as fuel. He’s fully aware of what he’s called his “evolution” as a quarterback.
“I think what’s propelled me, what’s gotten me to where I am now, and what continues to happen is just understanding and remembering the past,” Altmyer said. “The failures, the scars, the losses, the embarrassments, public humiliation has created what you see today. But also being aware of the gifts, the talents, abilities that the good Lord has given me. Being able to put that on display as a sign of worship and thanking him, and by using those talents (not only) to be my best self, but to be a great leader and bring all those intangibles that he’s given me … a voice encouragement, great intelligence. I’m just so, so excited, so happy to just keep on living this.”
With five games left in the regular season, including a big game against No. 1 Oregon in Eugene next weekend, Illinois might be finding its footing at the right time. They’re bowl-eligible in mid-October. They’ve paid proper respect to the past in beating Michigan and, if the coach and quarterback are any indication, are ready to leave it behind for a better future.
On Saturday, Bielema, Altmyer and the Fighting Illini demonstrated the Eckhart Tolle teaching, “There is a fine balance between honoring the past and losing yourself in it.” And they walked away with a victory.
