#7 Penn State defeats Unranked Illinois 30-13. Next week, Penn State hosts Iowa while Illinois hosts Florida Atlantic.
1st Quarter: Illinois Kicker Caleb Griffin misses a 47-yard field goal on the opening drive. Illinois Running Back Josh McCray fumbles the ball on a handoff and Penn State Linebacker Kobe King recovers. Alex Felkins kicks a 20-yard field goal for Penn State. Illinois Quarterback Luke Altmyer throws an interception to Linebacker Abdul Carter. After the return and an Illinois unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, Penn State has the ball at the Illinois 22-yard line. Alex Felkins makes a 45-yard Penn State Field Goal. Luke Altmyer throws an interception to Cornerback Daequan Hardy who gives Penn State the ball at their own 43-yard line.
2nd Quarter: Penn State Running Back Kaytron Allen runs in a 4-yard touchdown. Alex Felkins 52-yard field goal attempt is blocked. Illinois Running Back Reggie Love III runs in a 5-yard touchdown. Alex Felkins makes a 28-yard field goal to end the first half. Penn State leads 16-7 at halftime.
3rd Quarter: Luke Altmyer throws an interception to Penn State Cornerback Johnny Dixon who returns it to their own 28-yard line. Penn State Quarterback Drew Allar tosses the ball back to Running Back Trey Potts who throws a pass to Tight End Tyler Warren for an 11-yard touchdown. Luke Altmyer throws an interception to Cornerback Cam Miller who gives Penn State the ball at the Illinois 31-yard line.
4th Quarter: Running Back Nicholas Singleton runs in a 16-yard touchdown for Penn State. Illinois backup Quarterback John Paddock comes into the game. Penn State backup Quarterback Beau Pribula comes into the game. John Paddock throws a 19-yard touchdown to Wide Receiver Malik Elzy(2-point conversion is unsuccessful). Penn State wins 30-13.
Nittany Lions Notes:
Drew Allar-A turnover-free game is exactly what is needed in games like these. Certain receivers were dropping passes left and right. Other receivers were not getting open. But ultimately in a back-and-forth battle the team who is not turning the ball over will eventually come out on top.
Run Offense-Slow start against a good defense but during the second half, both Singleton and Allen exploded. We need to see more running early in games against good defenses.
Defense-Outside of the one touchdown drive for Illinois, the pass defense was shutting down Illinois’ offense. The run defense played fantastic compared to previous games. If this is how the run defense will play against the top teams like Michigan and Ohio State then I will feel comfortable.
Play Calling on Offense-I do not understand why there were not more run calls early in the game. This is why the offense was stale for the first half. The second half is exactly what I wanted to see in terms of play-calling.
Penalties-Both sides of the field need to be more disciplined when it comes to penalties. Some issues included pushing guys after the play or false start penalties. Need to clean that up because this will cost you in closer games.
-Jordan Burden