Even when a college football team from Mississippi is not on the gridiron, the chances of a player from the Magnolia State getting in on the action and stealing the show are not slim. Illinois quarterback and Starkville native Luke Altmyer proved such on Tuesday night, as he was named the Music City Bowl MVP following the Fighting Illini’s 30-28 win over Tennessee.
Altmyer, who transferred to Illinois after spending two seasons at Ole Miss, concluded his college career with a bang in his final game. The former Starkville High School standout completed 20 of 33 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown. He also logged 54 rushing yards and a score, helping his team secure back-to-back nine-win seasons.
His biggest moment of the game came when he led the Fighting Illini on a 13-play, 65-yard drive late in the fourth quarter to bleed the clock and set up a game-winning field goal to negate an earlier Tennessee kickoff return for a touchdown that gave the Volunteers a late lead.
During his five-year career as a college signal-caller, Altmyer tallied 7,924 total passing yards, 60 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. On the ground, he had 744 yards and 13 scores. When the NFL Draft rolls around in April, Altmyer is expected to hear his name called between the fifth and seventh rounds.