Overtime: Game Tied 17-17
Penn State will start with the ball in the overtime period. After having seemingly scored on a Bill Belton run, the play is called back on a holding penalty but Hackenberg finds Kyle Carter a play later for a 15-yard strike.
On Illinois’ first play from scrimmage the pass is deflected and intercepted giving Penn State the victory. Ryan Keiser snagged the deflected ball.
Fourth Quarter: Penn State Leads 14-10 To Open The Half
Illinois drives deep into Penn State’s end of the field but a fourth down pass by Illinois is broken up by Mike Hull giving the Nittany Lions the ball back and sending Beaver Stadium into a collective sigh of relief.
Penn State can’t move the ball far though and is forced to punt after a 8-play, 33 yard drive. Penn State seemed to gain some momentum back after a running into the kcker gives Penn State a new set of downs but the Nittany Lions only moved backward.
Illinois responds with a drive of its own and punches away to take a 17-14 lead. After trading blows but failing to score the Nittany Lions get the ball back with over a minute to play and 49 yards to score. Penn State drives the ball but settles for a 35-yard field goal that is good with 41 seconds to go. Illinois can’t move the ball and we’re headed to overtime.
Third Quarter: Penn State Leads 14-3 To Open The Half
A long kick gives Penn State the ball at the 25.
Having opted to take the ball to open the second half, Penn State began the second half on the 25. The Nittany Lions proceeded to convert back-to-back third down attempts moving the ball to the Illinois 40 after a 19 yard pass to Brandon Felder. A pass to Allen Robinson earlier in the drive moved him into fourth all-time in Pen State’s career receiving yard list, now ahead of former Nittany Lion Jordan Norwood. Penn State’s drive stalls and the Nittany Lions are forced to punt. The Illini will start with the ball at the 12 yardline.
Starting at its own 12 yard line, the Illini drive 88 yards in 13 plays thanks to plays of 15, 11, 11, and 13 yards over the course of the 4:46 drive. The drive was capped off by an 8-yard touchdown catch and run by Josh Ferguson.
With the ball at the 25, Penn State starts off a crucial drive in the game with a 16-yard run by Belton but a short run and incomplete pass sets up a mid ranged third down attempt. Hackenberg finds Robinson for his ninth catch of the day and a first down conversion. Penn State comes up short on third down later in the dive and a fourth down run by Belton is stopped on the Illini 39 yard line. Belton slipped on the carry despite having a small opening and a chance to convert Penn State’s third, fourth down conversion on the day. Between the 10 straight points and offensive momentum, it set up an important defensive drive for Penn State after a 8-play 36 yard drive stalled.
Halftime:
At the half Penn State still controls the game and is scheduled to receive the ball to open the second stanza. Through 30 minutes of play Penn State had held on to the ball for 18:53. Bill Belton led all rushers with 95 yards over the course of 15 carries. Scheelhaase leads the passing attack with 175 yards going 16-26 but Hackenberg has been solid as well going 10-14 for 107 yards. The freshman has been a good game manager for the Nittany Lions.
Second Quarter: Penn State Leads 7-0 To Open Quarter
Hackenberg finishes off the 17 play drive with a 9 ran scramble to extend the lead to 14-0. Penn State drove 82 yards in 7 minutes and 15 seconds. The 17 play mark is a season high, topping a 13 play drive against Indiana.
Illinois responds with a 3-and-out giving Penn State the ball back with great field position. The Nittany Lions defense’s first stop of its own making.
Penn State drives the ball but a tripping call stumbles Penn State’s drive and a 3rd and 15 conversion comes up short by 6 yards. Illinois trades a brief 3 play, 1 yard drive and punts to Penn State with 4:59 to go in the opening half.
The Nittany Lions move 8 yards over four plays giving Illinois the ball back on the goaline thanks to a great punt by Alex Buttersworth. Illinois is able to climb out of the shadow of its own endzone though driving down the field in chunks. A no-huddle attack kept Penn State’s defense off balance driving down to the 7 yard line.
A series of penalties and defensive stops give Illinois one final attempt at the endzone but the pass is broken up. Malcolm Willis is called for roughing the passer though, giving Illinois an untimed down to end the half even though the clock hit 0:00. The Illini settled for a field goal cutting into Penn State’s lead.
First Quarter:
Penn State has won the toss and will kick to open the game.
Illinois starts at the 25 and drives the ball 16 yards on the opening play. Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase then connects on a 26-yard swing pass, sending a groan around Beaver Stadium. Only a few plays later though Penn State’s Jordan Lucas catches a deflected pass giving the Nittany Lions the ball back at the 16-yard line.
Hackenberg responds quickly and a 7-play, 84 yard drive is capitalized by a 5 yard touchdown run by Bill Belton and a 47-yard catch and run by Allen Robinson. Belton rushed for 32 yards on the drive.
Illinois responds with a short drive and seems to have connected on a 39-yard pass and touchdown but it is called back due to a chop block. Penn State gets the ball just inside the 20 after a poor Illini punt.
Penn State drives the ball and has made it to the Illinois 24 as the quarter ends. Hackenberg to Robinson was a popular call. Penn State’s offensive line continues to get a strong push in the trenches.
Pregame:
We’re set up here in a cloudy Beaver Stadium for Penn State’s fourth Big Ten contest of the season as the Nittany Lions take on Illinois. The Illini are led by second year head coach Tim Beckman and have posted a 3-4 record so far this season going 0-3 in conference play.
For Penn State, the Nittany Lions are coming off a 63-14 loss to Ohio State, Illinois is coming off of a 42-3 loss to Michigan State. So it’s all about new starts here in Happy Valley as Penn State looks to right the ship and Illinois looks to salvage its season and conference record.
On the field Illinois is led by senior quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, who has been a bright spot for the Illini. On the ground Josh Ferguson leads the way with 361 yards rushing and almost 400 yards receiving. Overall, Ferguson has accounted for five Illinois’ touchdowns this season.
Both teams are on the field for warmups, Penn State’s freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg looks fine passing in drills and shows no signs of injury following last week’s bumps and bruises.
Illinois’ coach Tim Beckman appears to be waiting for O’Brien near midfield for general pregame conversation, O’Brien stays well inside his own side of midfield.
Kickoff is set for noon and the game will be carried live on ESPN.
