Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer may seem long on seasoning, but Saturday's season opener against visiting Toledo will mark merely his first start with the program and second overall.

The Mississippi transfer's nine career appearances and four touchdowns -- three through the air -- still beat the alternative as the Fighting Illini face the reigning Mid-American Conference champions.

Sixteen starters return for the Rockets, including seven all-conference players. That total includes quarterback Dequan Finn, a second-team all-MAC selection after passing for 23 touchdowns and adding 631 yards on the ground. Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, an all-MAC first-teamer a season ago, anchors a defense that helped Toledo finish 9-5 with a win over Liberty in the Boca Raton Bowl.

Illinois went 8-5 in 2022 but lost four of its last five games, including a 19-10 defeat to Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The defense, which finished No. 1 in opponents' scoring in the nation, got a jolt when defensive lineman Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton decided to return for his junior season.

Several key players must be replaced behind Newton, including cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who was selected No. 5 overall in this year's draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Illinois is also without running back Chase Brown, who compiled 1,883 total yards in 2022 before being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals.

A Walter Camp All-American second-team selection, Newton paced Illinois with 5.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries.

The Saturday contest will mark the first meeting between the programs.