Caleb Griffin after game winner: 'Nothing compares to this'
Sep. 2—Close
Quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) looks for an open receiver on the first play of the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' quarterback Luke Altmyer looks to pass against Toledo in the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) fakes the hand off to running back Reggie Love III (23). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer scrambles looking for an open receiver. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Reggie Love III (23) tries to battle his way into the end zone as he is tackled by Toledo's Dallas Gant (19). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Head Coach Bret Biielma congratulates quarterback Luke Altmyer after Illinois' first score of the night. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Head Coach Bret Bielma on the sideline. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois Head Coach Bret Bielma has a few words with an official in the first half against Toledo.University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Tyler Strain (20) wraps up Toledo's Junior Vandross in the first half.University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' defenders Dylan Rosiek (28), Clayton Bush (21) Jer'Zhan Newton (4) and Keith Randolph, Jr (88) bring down Toledo's Jacquez Stewart (0). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Mason Muragin breaks up a pass attempt in the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Casey Washington is ran out of bound after catching a pass in the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' quarterback runs the ball as he is chased out of bounds by Toledo's Nate nBauer. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Xavier Scott lunges to tackle Toledo's Adam Beagle. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' running back Reggie Love II (23) runs the ball as Toledo's Nate Bauer defends. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Athletic Director Josh Whitman watches from the sideline as Illinois takes on Toledo in the home opener. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' quarterback Luke Altmyer takes off with the ball in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Reggie Love III breaks free and runs the ball in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Isaiah Williams (middle) fights to hold on tot he ball after making a catch in the second half against Toledo. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Keith Randolph, Jr. pressures Toledo quarter back Dequan Finn in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Luke Altmyer runs the ball against Toledo. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois Josh McCray (0) maneuvers around a Toledo defender University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Josh McCray is wrapped up by Toledo's Zachary Ford (7) and Daniel Bolden (31). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Head Coach Bret Bielema points to the score board from the sideline in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Reggie Love III (23) runs the ball late in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Reggie Love III (23) runs the ball late in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Head Coach Bret Bielma reacts from the sideline late in the game against Toledo. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Josh Gesky celebrates the winning field goal. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois gets its first win of the season against Toledo 30-28. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Caleb Griffin is congratulated on his game winning field goal by teammate Griffin Moore (81). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Caleb Griffin kicks an extra point in the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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PHOTO GALLERY: Illini vs. Toledo 2023
Illinois beat Toledo 30-28 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) looks for an open receiver on the first play of the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' quarterback Luke Altmyer looks to pass against Toledo in the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) fakes the hand off to running back Reggie Love III (23). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer scrambles looking for an open receiver. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Reggie Love III (23) tries to battle his way into the end zone as he is tackled by Toledo's Dallas Gant (19). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Head Coach Bret Biielma congratulates quarterback Luke Altmyer after Illinois' first score of the night. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Head Coach Bret Bielma on the sideline. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois Head Coach Bret Bielma has a few words with an official in the first half against Toledo.University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Tyler Strain (20) wraps up Toledo's Junior Vandross in the first half.University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' defenders Dylan Rosiek (28), Clayton Bush (21) Jer'Zhan Newton (4) and Keith Randolph, Jr (88) bring down Toledo's Jacquez Stewart (0). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Mason Muragin breaks up a pass attempt in the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Casey Washington is ran out of bound after catching a pass in the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' quarterback runs the ball as he is chased out of bounds by Toledo's Nate nBauer. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Xavier Scott lunges to tackle Toledo's Adam Beagle. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' running back Reggie Love II (23) runs the ball as Toledo's Nate Bauer defends. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
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Illinois' Athletic Director Josh Whitman watches from the sideline as Illinois takes on Toledo in the home opener. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' quarterback Luke Altmyer takes off with the ball in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Reggie Love III breaks free and runs the ball in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Isaiah Williams (middle) fights to hold on tot he ball after making a catch in the second half against Toledo. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Keith Randolph, Jr. pressures Toledo quarter back Dequan Finn in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Luke Altmyer runs the ball against Toledo. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois Josh McCray (0) maneuvers around a Toledo defender University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Josh McCray is wrapped up by Toledo's Zachary Ford (7) and Daniel Bolden (31). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Head Coach Bret Bielema points to the score board from the sideline in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Reggie Love III (23) runs the ball late in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Reggie Love III (23) runs the ball late in the second half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Head Coach Bret Bielma reacts from the sideline late in the game against Toledo. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Josh Gesky celebrates the winning field goal. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois gets its first win of the season against Toledo 30-28. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Caleb Griffin is congratulated on his game winning field goal by teammate Griffin Moore (81). University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Illinois' Caleb Griffin kicks an extra point in the first half. University of Illinois Toledo Football, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Holly Hart
* Holly Hart
Fasteners Etc. Postgame Show: Illinois-Toledo
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CHAMPAIGN — Pat Bryant spent the entirety of Illinois' final drive trying to talk the team's athletic trainers into letting him go back on the field.
Bryant argued his legs were fine. That the cramping issue that necessitated pulling him off the field wasn't a problem. That he needed to be back on the field with Saturday night's game against Toledo on the line.
By the time Illinois got within field-goal range and sent Caleb Griffin out to kick, Bryant couldn't even look at the field.
Neither could Casey Washington.
The Illinois wide receiver took a knee on the sideline, head bowed. After making sure he delivered a reminder to his teammates to stay back off the sideline. The last thing Illini needed was another penalty. Especially at that moment, down a single point to the Rockets with 5 seconds to play.
"The last thing we needed is a flag if somebody is on the field looking at the kick," Washington said.
Steady Luke Altmyer put Illinois in position for Week 1 win
Ole Miss transfer quarterback impressed coaches, teammates with demeanor throughout win against Toledo
Luke Altmyer took it all in. His eyes were locked onto Griffin. There was no doubt in the Illinois quarterback's mind that the veteran Illini kicker would deliver.
And Griffin did, drilling the 29-yard field goal through the middle of the uprights and securing a 30-28 victory in Illinois' season opener before an announced crowd of 48,898 fans at Memorial Stadium.
"I knew he had it," Altmyer said. "He's cold blooded. I was fully confident watching him. It was a huge moment for him. He won the game. He's the real MVP."
Hesitant even to watch the field goal unfold, Bryant wasn't any less sure that Griffin would come through in the clutch.
"I'm the type I can't really watch stuff like that," Bryant said. "I just watched the crowd and watched for their reaction. But it's Caleb Griffin. You already know. He's going to hit from basically anywhere."
+2
The grades are in: Altmyer shines, defense struggles
Did Saturday night's season opener play out like Illinois wanted? Not really. But the Illini avoided what would have been a significant loss on several fronts by outlasting Toledo
Griffin's game winner was the first of his career. The Danville native doesn't really count the overtime point-after attempt he hit as a freshman in high school considering it required the Vikings' opponent to also miss one.
The closest experience Griffin had to the emotions Saturday night delivered was the game-winning three-pointer he made in the 2016 Pontiac Holiday Tournament to beat West Aurora 62-61.
"Nothing compares to this," Griffin said. "It's the magnitude of being that guy in that moment. ... I remember (James McCourt) saying the moment he hit the game-winning field goal (against Wisconsin in 2019) he doesn't remember anything. He basically passed out on the field.
"That's how I felt. I didn't see the kick until I got to my phone. ... Somebody asked me about the snap and the hold. I was like, 'I don't know. We made the kick.'"
Mostly because it was simple routine. Griffin first kicked on the Memorial Stadium turf as a 16-year-old at camp. He arrived on campus in 2018 at 18 years old and is now a 23-year-old with multiple degrees.
"You guys can do the math," Griffin said. "I've kicked a lot of field goals on this field."
Griffin had to wait his turn to be in position for a moment like Saturday night. He was initially behind Chase McLaughlin and got beat out by McCourt for the top spot on the depth chart from 2019-21.
Tate — It wasn't pretty, but dramatic win revealed one thing ... Luke Altmyer is real deal
Few UI quarterbacks in history have performed so well in their opener
Griffin and McCourt remain in regular communication, talking weekly. Griffin also received messages this week from former Illinois punter Blake Hayes and former Illinois kicker Chase McLaughlin.
"Having those guys there for me and those guys pushing for me really means a lot," Griffin said. "And those were the first people that texted back when I got back to my phone."
The important people Griffin hadn't connected with nearly an hour after his field goal were his parents Chris and Erin. That he kicked the game winner at the south end of the stadium — where they sit — made it "the coolest thing" he'd done.
Griffin did spot former Danville teammate Kendle Moore in the stands after the kick, though. It was Moore's first time watching Griffin play considering he spent the past five seasons playing college basketball at Colorado State and then Missouri State.
"He was there with his daughter, my goddaughter," Griffin said. "There's a clip that people have been sending me of me standing there in the middle of the field looking toward the sideline, and it was me looking at him. That was one of the coolest moments I've ever experienced in my life because that's my brother. I love him to death."
