Buckeyes Hold the Line: No. 1 Ohio State Overpowers No. 17 Illinois

Ohio State asserted dominance over Illinois in a 34-16 victory, using relentless pressure and effective short-field scoring. Luke Altmyer and Aidan Laughery contributed key plays for the Illini.

Photo: Alan Look Photography

Fighting Illini wide receiver Hank Beatty, a senior, looks for more yards after hauling in a pass during Illinois' home game against Ohio State. The Rochester native caught seven of the Illini's 30 passes, finishing with 48 yards.

by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine

CHAMPAIGN - In a clash of ranked titans, No. 1 Ohio State marched into Champaign and left with a 34-16 victory that felt more like a statement than a score.

The Fighting Illini, riding a wave of momentum and a top-20 ranking, had hoped to shake the national order. But the Buckeyes, seasoned and unshaken, reminded everyone why they sit atop the college football throne, thanks to short-field scoring that produced 24 points on drives starting inside the 40-yard line.

From the opening drive, Ohio State dictated tempo and tone. Their defense swarmed, their offense churned, and their stars delivered. Bo Jackson, the Buckeyes’ bruising backfield presence, carved out critical yardage and capped drives with the kind of physicality that defines championship football. His contributions weren’t flashy - they were foundational.

Illinois, for its part, refused to fold. Hank Beatty, the Illini’s reliable route runner, found seams and kept chains moving, offering glimpses of the grit that earned his team national respect. But against the Buckeyes’ relentless pressure and opportunistic execution, those flashes weren’t enough. Adding insult to injury, Illinois (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) turned the ball over three times, leading to 21 of Ohio State’s points.

Luke Altmyer threw for 248 yards and one touchdown on 30-of-44 passing. Collin Dixon caught four passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, while Aidan Laughery added 50 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Matthew Bailey led the Illini defense with eight tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

Photo: Alan Look Photography

Ohio State running back Bo Jackson carries the ball after a hand off, looking to move the ball past the line of scrimmage. Jackson carried the ball ten times for 47 yards and scored a touchdown on a 17-yard pass play in the second quarter to give the Buckeyes a 20-0 lead.

This wasn’t just a win - it was a reaffirmation. Ohio State didn’t just beat Illinois. The Buckeyes outlasted, outmuscled, and outclassed them.

After Ohio State opened the game with 20 unanswered points, Illinois got on the board with one minute remaining before halftime on David Olano’s 24-yard field goal.

In the second half, Altmyer led a 12-play, 75-yard drive finished by a one-yard Laughery touchdown to bring the Illini within 10, 20-10. The score, off an option pitch from Hank Beatty, was the first rushing touchdown surrendered by the Ohio State defense this season.

Later, Ohio State extended its lead to 34-10 with two additional touchdowns, keeping the Illibuck Trophy in Columbus and its perfect season intact.

TAGS: Ohio State vs Illinois 2025, Illibuck Trophy game, College football Big Ten, Ohio State Buckeyes football, Illinois Fighting Illini stats, Big Ten football scores, Ohio State perfect season, Illini vs Buckeyes highlights, Luke Altmyer passing, Bo Jackson rushing

LeRoy edges Heyworth in grit-fueled rivalry

In a classic Heart of Illinois matchup, Le Roy narrowly defeated Heyworth 14-12. The game featured punishing line play, clock control and relentless inside runs.

Stephon Williams carries the football for the Heyworth Hornets

Photo: Alan Look Photography

LeRoy running back Stephon Williams takes the ball up the gut in old-fashion power football in his team's home game against Heyworth. The Panthers prevailed with a 14-12 conference victory on Friday.

by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine

LE ROY - For nearly a decade, the Le Roy Panthers have held a firm grip on their rivalry with the Heyworth Hornets, a series defined less by flashy plays and more by the relentless grind of Midwestern football. Each meeting between these Heart of Illinois foes has been a collision of tradition, pride and punishing ground attacks that echo the region’s roots.

On Oct. 10, 2025, that legacy continued in a bruising 14-12 slugfest that felt more like trench warfare than a modern football game. From the opening whistle, both teams leaned into their identities - no frills, no finesse, just a steady diet of inside runs, clock control and defensive resolve. The turf bore the scars of a night spent hammering the line of scrimmage as backs churned through contact and linemen battled for inches.

Heyworth football players carries the ball in their game against LeRoy

Photo: Alan Look Photography

One of 42 game photos from the Hornets' road football game against the Panthers. See the exclusive photo gallery from the game from photographer Alan Look in the here.

Heyworth, hungry to break a long losing streak against Le Roy, brought an edge that kept the Panthers from ever pulling away. But Le Roy, true to form, matched every blow with one of its own, grinding out drives that chewed up time and wore down resistance. The final score, 14-12, wasn’t just a number. It was a testament to the kind of football that defines this rivalry - hard-earned, deeply felt and rooted in history.

As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard told a familiar story. Le Roy had once again found a way - not through flash, but through force. Not through air, but through earth.

TAGS: Le Roy Panthers vs Heyworth Hornets 2025, Heart of Illinois high school football, Friday night football Illinois, Le Roy Panthers football rivalry, Heyworth Hornets close game, Midwestern run-heavy football, Illinois high school football scores, traditional football rivalry, Le Roy Panthers home game, Heyworth Hornets 2025 season