After a disappointing 30-13 loss for the Illinois versus Penn State at home last year, it was out for redemption. Going into the game as 19.5-point underdogs, the Illini put up a fight. On prime time NBC, the Illini sought to put the world on notice, after every analyst on College Gameday chose their opponent and the country doubted them.
It was No. 19 Illinois’ first time in University Park since a nine-overtime victory in 2021. Penn State’s hearts were broken then, but not Saturday night. No. 9 Penn State proved to be stronger and secured a big win to end Illinois’ undefeated streak.
The environment posed a big challenge as the Illini had seen in years. Penn State head coach James Franklin requested its iconic “white out energy” as well, and the 107,000 people in attendance were pumped.
Illinois received the opening kickoff and did what every underdog needs. It stunned the crowd at Beaver Stadium early, commanding a dominant first drive. A quick 7-0 start for the Illini took the crowd by surprise. Junior quarterback Luke Altmyer found senior tight end Carson Goda to give the Illini the lead.
However, Penn State quickly tied the game with a three-yard touchdown. It took just four minutes to score, and the crowd was instantly drawn back into the game.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
After two quick touchdowns, both defenses settled in, especially, the Nittany Lions. The increased defensive pressure is where the difference between Altymer and Penn State junior quarterback Drew Allar peeks through. Allar is described to be confident and deceiving, and Altmyer is known to be more cautious and takes more time on his plays.
Both teams played strong at the beginning of the second quarter. Highlights from the Illini included Altmyer’s chemistry with his two senior wide receivers, Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin. Bryant and Franklin are two assets to the Illini, with a combined 552 yards this season and Bryant’s six touchdowns.
After failing to score, the Illini struggled to contain the Nittany Lions’ third drive. A dominant rushing attack went 69 yards downfield, before setting up for a field goal to take the lead.
Luckily for the Illini, the Nittany Lions missed their chance. With five minutes left in the second quarter, Penn State missed a 40-yarder.
Illinois used the momentum from the miss, and put together a drive of its own. With two minutes left in the second quarter, Illinois found itself in the red zone hoping to take the lead. However, crucial mistakes hamper the Illini from making any progress.
From the Penn State two-yard line, Illinois botched the snap, losing three yards. Then, the team suffered an intentional grounding penalty moving them back further. With no hopes for a touchdown, sophomore kicker David Olano had the opportunity to take the lead with his foot. As if the previous negative plays weren’t enough, a false start on fourth down pushed them back again to create a 45-yard field goal attempt.
The kick went wide left, and the second quarter ended with no touchdowns or field goals despite opportunities for both teams.
During halftime, both head coaches Bret Bielema and James Franklin were seen on the field arguing with the refs after a penalty-filled first half.
In the second half, it was anyone’s game. Penn State’s offense did not slow after their previous drive ended with a missed field goal. A total of 145 rushing yards stomped over Illinois’ 45 yards.
Penn State was quick to take the lead and scored a four-yard touchdown halfway through the third quarter. With a seven-point lead, the Illini defense searched for answers to stop the Nittany Lion’s offense.
While Penn State was scoring touchdowns, Illinois was getting penalties, throwing incomplete passes and not rushing enough yards to make it to the end zone.
Illinois found itself deep in the fourth quarter, needing a stop and score to even have a chance of coming back. It needed to step up its defense and stop Penn State from taking a two-touchdown lead.
The fourth quarter started with Beaver Stadium in uproar. Penn State’s offense continued to struggle finishing drives and giving Illinois the ball back. The team turned it over on downs and missed their second field goal of the night to keep the score 14-7.
Illinois had more yardage from penalties than it did from offense yardage. Altmyer’s first interception of the season was a key point in the game. Penalties once again pushed Illinois into fourth down, and Altmyer couldn’t pick up the first.
Penn State took its chance and ran to the end zone, a flag on the play ultimately kept the score at a standstill.
With under two minutes to go, Penn State did not hold back. A touchdown brought the final score to 21-7. Penn State left undefeated as Illinois’ hot start came to an end on a Saturday night in Pennsylvania.
