Illinois WR Hank Beatty Reaches National Record

With Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin off to professional careers, Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty has emerged as a breakout star for the Illini through the first five weeks of the 2025 season. The Rochester (IL) native has become an extremely reliable target that veteran QB Luke Altmyer can trust to keep the sticks moving for the Illinois offense, with his sure hands and ability to get open using his twitchy athleticism. Having already tabbed up 383 yards, on 27 catches and 1 TD through the air, in addition to a 69-yard punt return score, a rushing score out of the wildcat, and a passing score in last week’s homecoming victory over USC – it’s safe to say that Beatty has become a go-to threat on all aspects of the Illini’s scoring attacks.

Notably, his ability to find his way to the endzone has helped him earn national recognition – as Beatty is currently the only player in the nation, and the first Big Ten player since 2003, to notch a passing, rushing, receiving, and punt return touchdown. The last being Michigan’s Steve Breaston, well over 2 decades ago.

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Hank Beatty is the only player in the nation with a passing, rushing, receiving, and punt return TD this season. The first B1G player since 2003.#Illini Performance Stat x #InvescoQQQ pic.twitter.com/a3Jr3AkfI3

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 28, 2025

That said, last week’s play that helped Hank reach the record was a wild one. Midway into the second quarter of the Illini’s nail-biting 32-31 homecoming victory over USC in week 6, Coach Lunney dialed up a beautiful double reverse pass from Hank Beatty to Luke Altmyer to convert on 3rd and goal for an electric score that sent sold-out Memorial Stadium into a frenzy.

With this type of talent among this experienced roster, it’s interesting to see what else the Illini offensive staff can do to get Beatty and some of the Illini’s other top producers involved in unique ways as we push further into Big Ten play.

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