Altmyer savoring last chance to represent the Illini

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Dec. 18—CHAMPAIGN — Only 60 more minutes.

Against an SEC school.

Just the way Luke Altmyer wants it.

Well, almost.

Ideally, the Illinois quarterback and his teammates would be getting ready to host a first-round game this weekend in the College Football Playoff.

But that didn't happen. Losses against the top two teams in the country — Indiana and Ohio State — and the fighting Ws — Washington and Wisconsin — meant no CFP this time.

Instead, Altmyer will finish his college career on Dec. 30 against Tennessee at Nissan Stadium in downtown Nashville, Tenn. Somewhat close to his hometown of Starkville, Miss., with the two cities separated by roughly 270 miles. A nice convenience for Altmyer during the holiday season.

"I'll actually probably drive to the game myself," Altmyer said. "I'm going home for a few days then driving up to Nashville. It's certainly an opportunity that's accessible and convenient to those Mississippi people who have grown to love this university.

There are more orange and blue than maroon and white and red and blue (Mississippi colors) down there. Super grateful for those people.

"They take a lot of pride in their people. You'll certainly hear some southern accents from some Mississippians."

No regrets

Of course, there was no guarantee Altmyer would play in the game. Bowl opt-outs are common now.

"I was so focused on the season that I didn't really approach the question," he said. "I needed to play well to go put us in a position to be in a good bowl game."

After the win against Northwestern in the season finale on Nov. 30, Altmyer looked ahead.

"A lot of conversation," he said. "I just want to do the best thing for myself. Bottom line is I love to play. I love to compete. I love these guys. I respect them. I respect the university, and I'd regret it if I didn't go out there and play ball."

That the bowl is close to home where oodles of family and friends are expected to attend makes it even better.

"I remember as a kid being a Mississippi State fan," Altmyer said. "I grew up going to the Music City Bowl. I sat in those stands and wanted to be out there on the field. This is what I always dreamed about doing and now I get an opportunity to do it."

The Altmyer family attended bowl games, including Mississippi State's 2011 win against Wake Forest in the Music City Bowl.

"I remember just being in an NFL stadium and seeing my favorite players out there, my heroes playing," Altmyer said of attending the game at the home of the Tennessee Titans. "I wanted to be in their shoes. I was decked out in my maroon and white (Bulldogs colors)."

For the second time in his Illinois career, Altmyer is playing an SEC school in a bowl. A year ago, it was South Carolina at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Now, it's the Volunteers.

"These bowl games are very, very core memories for families, for myself, for the guys obviously," Altmyer said. "It's something I don't take for granted. It's going to stick with me forever, so I'm going to give it my best to make it a good one."

Moving up the list

No matter what happens against the Volunteers, Altmyer has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in Illinois history.

I'd put him anywhere from third to fifth, behind only Jeff George and Kurt Kittner and right there with Jack Trudeau, Juice Williams and Nathan Scheelhaase.

Altmyer's 22 wins as a starter (so far) rank only behind Kittner (24) and Trudeau (23).

His 7,411 passing yards in three seasons at Illinois rank sixth on the career list with a chance to move into fifth, pass Jason Verduzco, at the bowl.

In total offense, his 8,098 yards stand fifth. He is tied for second in career passing touchdowns with Williams at 56 with a good chance to break the tie on Dec. 30. Kittner is the career leader with 70.

Altmyer played well enough his first two years to draw significant attention from Tennessee going into this season. He obviously stayed put.

"A lot of behind the scenes stuff," Altmyer said. "Bottom line, I'm going to play their best 11, and we'll have our best 11 out there. The world of college football is crazy, as we all know."

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