Aug. 25-31, 2025
Hank Beatty | Sr., Football | Majors: Marketing
No. 12 Illinois dominated its 2025 season opener, defeating Western Illinois, 52-3, on Friday night in front of 56,040 spectators at Memorial Stadium. Senior Hank Beatty led the Illini in receiving with five catches for 108 yards including a 59-yard strike, which tied his career long. Beatty also compiled 133 punt return yards, bringing back a 69-yard return for a touchdown. His 133 punt return yards broke Red Grange's 102-year-old single-game school record of 125 set Oct. 6, 1923, against Nebraska. Beatty's punt return TD was the first for an Illini player since V'Angelo Bentley vs. Ohio State (11/16/2013). He was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
A marketing major from Rochester, Illinois, Beatty is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honoree. He is on track to graduate in December.
