Illinois Football: Kudos to the Illini coaches for landing John Paddock

Illinois football will be starting a new quarterback on Saturday against Indiana.

This past Saturday, the Illini started Luke Altmyer against Minnesota. He played the entire game and even started the final drive. On that final drive, Altmyer went down with an injury and couldn’t return to the game.

It now looks like that injury is lingering, as Altmyer is officially out for the Indiana game. Illinois football’s social media account published a couple of hours before the matchup with the Hoosiers that Altmyer and running back Aidan Laughery will miss the contest.

Big Ten Availability Report vs. Indiana#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/3iBkaciPTz

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) November 11, 2023

Who steps into the starting job? None other than Illinois savior and legend, John Paddock. Yes, that John Paddock. The same one who came into the game against the Golden Gophers and led Illinois downfield for a game-winning 46-yard touchdown pass.

Most teams would take a huge hit if their starting quarterback missed a game with an injury, but Bret Bielema and the Illinois coaching staff did a great job in the transfer portal this past summer and landed Paddock.

Paddock joined the Illini after spending four years at Ball State where he would throw for 2,719 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in 2022. Paddock has lit the world on fire when he has had a chance to play for Illinois too.

Illinois fans got a glimpse of Paddock against Penn State. He threw for 113 yards and one touchdown against a tough Nittany Lions defense. Paddock also had six attempts against Purdue.

I think everyone in Illini Nation is excited to see what Paddock can do with a start under his belt. He was a perfect 3-of-3 for 85 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. Let’s see if he can find some of that magic again on Saturday.

• Published on 11/11/2023 at 10:14 AM CST
• Last updated on 11/11/2023 at 10:14 AM CST