For Penn State last week provided the Nittany Lions with one more memorable moment in the post sanction era as Penn State once again become bowl eligible with a win over Temple. With over 200 yards rushing and plenty of forced turnovers, it was a day that fans won’t soon forget.
But with the season’s biggest goal now accomplished the Nittany Lions now turn their attention towards a struggling Illinois squad looking to win its final two games of the year to also become bowl eligible. Head coach Tim Beckman looks to be in his final days at Illinois and with the memories of Beckman recruiting Penn State players in the weeks following the announcement of the NCAA sanctions, this might be the last time the Nittany Lions get to say “thanks” for the motivation.
Stick to StateCollege.com for quarter by quarter updates, insight and stats as Penn State looks to find win No. 7 on the year.
- According to reports, Penn State linebacker Brandon Bell did not dress for the Nittany Lions today.
Fourth Quarter:
The Nittany Lions take a 14-10 lead following a fantastic 47 yard touchdown run by Akeel Lynch only a few minutes into the fourth quarter. Lynch would end the day with 137 yards on 28 carries. Hackenberg would complete only 7-of-15 passes for 72 yards on the day.
Penn State’s defense looks like it has nothing left in the tank and Illinois senses it, putting together a 11 play 58 yard drive that ended with a field goal to bring the Illini within a point of the Nittany Lions. Penn State would drive the ball to midfield but opted to punt on 4th down and less than a yard giving Illinois a long field and just under 2 minutes to play.
Illinois capitalized on the chance though, a 7 play, 54 yard drive against a energy empty defense was all it took to setup a game winning 35 yard field goal. Illinois quarterback Reilly O’Toole went 18-for-25 and 157 yards on the day largely to receiver Mike Dudek who picked up 115 yards through the air on 11 catches.
Third Quarter:
The opening kick of the second half flies into the air and is knocked down by swirling winds and a few weird bounces later equal Indiana ball deep in Penn State’s end for a 6 play 19 yard drive that ends with a field goal. The Nittany Lion offense continues to struggle as Hackenberg is 7-or-15 on the game.
Second Quarter:
Penn State’s offense can’t find any momentum after some early success and Hackenbeg comes up limping after an awkward fall midway through the second quarter. The killer for the Nittany Lions though, an offsides penalty that gives Illinois a first down and the start to what would become a 12 play 68 yard touchdown drive that ended on a 1-yard pass on third and goal.
The Nittany Lions have failed to find success running the ball this week despite Illinois defensive struggles in that area, Penn State is averaging 2.9 yards a carry on 27 rushing attempts for a total of 77 yards against a team that allows nearly 270 per game on the ground.
Illinois’ Mike Dudek has been productive for Illinois with 5 catches for 57 yards, most of which came on Illinois’ touchdown drive to end the first half.
Akeel Lynch has 67 of Penn State’s 133 yards (42 rushing, 23 receiving).
First Quarter: Check back at the end of the opening 15 minutes for insight and analysis.
Penn State wins the opening toss but opts to kick to start the game to play with field position and the wind in the opening quarter. The Nittany Lions don’t wait long to strike with a 9 play 52 yard drive after Penn State’s defense stood tall on Illinois’ opening drive. Akeel Lynch was a key in that opening scoring drive that ended with a beautiful 18 yard pass to Chris Godwin.
Illinois’ offense would do no better for the remainder of the quarter but Penn State’s short field would yield anymore points despite a fake punt conversion and a close field goal snap that was bobbled by Chris Gulla.
Even so it’s all Nittany Lions as Illinois has 22 yards of offense and has gone 0-4 on third down. Hackenberg is 3-for-6 on the day.
