CHAMPAIGN -- The second time has been more than a charm for Luke Altmyer.
Make it a revelation.
Injured and benched in 2023, Altmyer is halfway through one of the best seasons in recent history for an Illinois quarterback.
After six games -- five wins -- Altmyer ranks 14th nationally in passing efficiency and 13th in touchdown passes with the 22nd-ranked Illini (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) set to host No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1) at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Normally, those kind of statistics would make him a strong candidate for First Team All-Big Ten.
But four of the guys in front of him in passing efficiency reside in Tony Petitti's league.
Indiana's Kurtis Rourke ranks first in the nation in passing efficiency, followed by Ohio State's Will Howard in sixth, Penn State's Drew Allar in seventh and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel in 12th.
Seems the Big Ten is blessed this season with its share of careful, accurate passers.
Altmyer certainly fits in.
He has 14 touchdown passes and only one interception. He is averaging 238 passing yards per game while completing 68 percent of his passes. His teammates are thrilled with Altmyer, including the guy who starts every play, center Josh Kreutz.
"He's just playing really good, and it's fun to play with him," Kreutz said.
He saw Altmyer's ability during the offseason.
"If you watched the way he worked, you knew he was going to improve," Kreutz said. "He's just showing it every single day, and you can see it by the way he film studies, the way he practices, he's going to continue to get better."
Before the season, Altmyer talked about taking on a stronger leadership role. Kreutz, one of the team's captains, confirms the quarterback's increased role.
"You can tell he's getting vocal," Kreutz said. "He's always been a leader by example. You can hear his voice now, too."
Catching on
The guys Altmyer is throwing to are happy with his play. Wide receiver Hank Beatty is tied for fourth on the team with nine catches, including three grabs against Purdue.
"Luke's playing awesome," Beatty said. "I think the best he's played. He's making the right decisions, being confident with the ball. I'm just excited to see how the rest of the season goes for him."
Altmyer's attitude since he showed up on the Illinois campus impressed Beatty.
"He just kept working," Beatty continued, "kept putting his head down, getting better every day."
The receivers believe in Altmyer. They have built connections.
"It's good to be able to trust the guy throwing the ball and trust the guy catching the ball," Beatty said.
Altmyer has been a willing runner when the situation calls for it.
"It's huge when the quarterback can use their legs to make plays on their own, get out of tough situations and scramble for some extra yards," Beatty said.
Of course, Altmyer's primary job is to throw passes.
"His ball is easy to catch," Beatty said. "It's right in the right spot every single time. He protects us from hits. I think he's just doing a great job. He's smart and accurate."
Coaching corner
Only Kaden Feagin has more carries this season than Altmyer, who has 49 attempts. Some of those are on scrambles after getting chased by the defense.
Running backs coach Thad Ward is impressed with Altmyer's total game.
"He's grown over the year," Ward said. "He's taken complete leadership over the offense. His IQ is second to none. He's commanding the offense in full and understanding the system inside out. He's like a coach on the field."
Altmyer extends plays with his legs, looking downfield for open receivers.
Ward saw Altmyer take positive steps during the offseason.
"Daily," Ward said.
Justin Stepp didn't work with Altmyer in 2023. He was still on the staff at South Carolina.
The play of the quarterback is important to Stepp, who is in his first season coaching the Illinois receivers.
"He's prepared really well every week," Stepp said.
Altmyer is doing extra work. Lots and lots of extra work. On the field and in film study.
"I see him up here all the time," Stepp said. "It shows on Saturday."
Stepp didn't know a lot about Altmyer when he first joined Bret Bielema's staff.
"I remember him when he was coming out of high school," said Stepp of the Starkville, Miss., native Altmyer. "I never saw him throw in person. I was really impressed with his arm talent. But after being around him, his preparation ... that joker is up here (in the office) as much as us. He's up there watching film a bunch."