The minutes are counting down to Indiana’s first Big Ten showdown of the season, and defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt can hardly wait to step onto the field. The Hoosiers face a tough test against undefeated Illinois (3-0), led by veteran quarterback Luke Altmyer, who’s eager to extend the streak in their conference opener.
Speaking with the media on Tuesday, Wyatt reflected on what he’s seen from the Illini signal-caller.
“I’ve seen him, two years ago at my old school [Maryland],” Wyatt said. “He’s pretty experienced, he’s seen a lot of ball. I’m sure their team is confident in what he does. He likes to do things that trick defenses, it’s all about staying keyed to your assignments.”
This isn’t Wyatt’s first brush with Altmyer. In October 2023, Illinois stunned Maryland as 13.5-point underdogs, sealing a 27-24 win on a 43-yard field goal. Both Wyatt and running back Roman Hemby left their mark that day, and now Wyatt’s eager for a rematch — this time wearing cream and crimson.
Wyatt knows shutting down Altmyer won’t be easy. The Illini quarterback thrives at protecting the football and buying time for plays to develop, but his legs make him equally dangerous. If the Hoosiers want a shot at slowing him down, it starts with disrupting a talented Illinois offensive line.
“They’re really good. It’s the best o-line we’ve seen so far,” Wyatt admitted. “They’re really crafty, and they do a lot of things to break down a defense that they see. They know their personnel really well, who they’re going against, so should be a good one.”
Wyatt knows the challenge won’t be easy, but he and the Hoosiers are eager to embrace it. He’s been a disruptive force on the defensive line this season, and there’s no reason to think that stops Saturday. Illinois has been sharp offensively, but they’ve also surrendered 11 tackles for loss and nine sacks against lesser defenses. With 13 tackles and 3.5 TFLs already to his name, Wyatt is primed to test that protection.
As a veteran, he understands the emotions that come with a stage like this. The nerves, he says, are part of the process. “You get butterflies a little bit, and that can be a good thing, because you have a lot of excitement and things like that,” Wyatt said. “And I see that from a lot of our players right now. I think we’re just ready to get out there and face the opponent.”
With a few more days of film study and preparation still ahead, Indiana is doing everything it can to sharpen its edge. The message, though, remains simple: focus on the task at hand, keep emotions in check, and find a way to send Illinois home with its first loss.