Recap: Penn State overpowers Illinois 30-13

Champaign, Ill. — No. 7 Penn State opens Big Ten play today when the Nittany Lions take on Illinois (1-1) at Memorial Stadium. Both teams arrived at 10 a.m., and kickoff is set for Noon ET on FOX.

“[Penn State is] just experts of opening on the road, whether it’s the first game, the second game, the third game, the fourth game, not only in my 10 years, but I think over the last 15 years,” Penn State coach James Franklin joked earlier in the week about his team’s eighth straight conference opener away from Beaver Stadium. “We’re experts. So, I think we’re going to put an offseason clinic on how to open in the Big Ten.”

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Fourth quarter updates

3:42 — It’s over. Penn State improves to 3-0 with a 30-13 win.

3:35 — Illinois scored but did not get the two point conversion, it’s 30-13 Penn State with 4:18 left.

3:27 p.m. — Penn State is punting again with 7:40 to play.

3:13 p.m. — Beau Pribula is taking over at quarterback for Penn State with the Lions leading 30-7 with 13:13 to go in the fourth quarter.

3:09 p.m. — Illinois will punt again. The Fighting Illini appear to be out of gas with 13:20 left in the fourth quarter.

3:02 p.m. — Touchdown, Penn State: Nicholas Singleton races into the end zone as the seas parted from 16 yards out. The Nittany Lions now lead 30-7 with 14:24 to go in the fourth quarter.

Third quarter updates

2:56 p.m.: End of three: Penn State 23, Illinois 7. Lions have 2nd and 9 at the Illinois 29 when the fourth quarter begins.

2:55 p.m. — Interception: Cam Miller picks off Luke Altmyer. The Illinois quarterback has now thrown four interceptions today. Penn State takes over at the Illinois 30.

2:49 p.m. — Touchdown, Penn State: Trey Potts throws an 11-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Warren. Yes, you read that right. Mike Yurcich digging into his bag of tricks for six. Penn State 23, Illinois 7 with 2:14 left in the quarter.

2:43 p.m. — Penn State almost had another interception, but Zakee Wheatley couldn’t hang on. Still a pass breakup and Illinois will punt again with 4:26 to go in the third quarter.

2:37 p.m. — Another drive, another punt for Penn State as Drew Allar throws another incompletion. The Nittany Lions first-year starter is now 12 of 27 for 144 yards.

2:30 p.m. — Penn State forces a punt with 8:22 to go in the third quarter. The Lions get the ball back again.

2:21 — Drew Allar took just a tad too long to find Malik McClain on 3rd and 6. He caught it but was out of bounds. Penn State will punt for the second time in the third quarter.

2:16 — Altmyer stuck in the pocket and took a big hit but found Washington down the sideline. He beat Jaylen Reed. But one play later, Johnny Dixon jumps a route and it’s Penn State ball again. The Lions take over at the 28.

2:13 p.m. — Drew Allar’s pass sails over Liam Clifford’s head on third down and Penn State will punt it away after starting the third quarter with a quick three and out.

2:10 p.m. — Penn State gets the ball to start the second half, which is now underway.

Penn State-Illinois second quarter updates

1:49 p.m. — Alex Felkins’ 28-yard field goal attempt is good. Penn State leads Illinois 16-7 at the half. It wasn’t a pretty first 30 minutes at times for the Lions. But, they have a road lead and get the ball to start the second half.

1:42 p.m. — Penn State will force an Illinois punt after getting a third down stop and calling timeout with 53 seconds left in the first half.

1:37 p.m. — Penn State runs on 3rd and 18. It will now punt it back to Illinois with 1:33 to go in the first half.

1:32 p.m. — Touchdown, Illinois: Reggie Love III just bullied his way into the end zone. Penn State has controlled most of this game and forced three turnovers but leads Illinosi just 13-7 with 2:08 left in the first half.

1:24 p.m. — Penn State kicker Alex Felkins attempted a 52-yard field goal. It was blocked. Illinois takes over at its own 35. The Lions lead Illinois 13-0 with 6:09 left in the first half. It’s been a sloppy one for the visitors at Memorial Stadium.

1:14 p.m. — Curtis Jacobs pressures Altmyer on third down and Illinois will punt. Penn State will get the ball back with about 10 minutes left in the first half.

1:07 p.m. — Touchdown, Penn State: Kaytron Allen rushes in from four yards out. The Nittany Lions now have 13 points of three Illinois turnovers. They lead, 13-0, with 11:04 left in the first half. It was a 12 play, 57 yards scoring drive.

First quarter updates

12:54 p.m. — Penn State moves the sticks on 3rd and 6 with a catch and run for KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who made a nice cut to get yards after the catch. It’s the end of the first quarter. PSU 6, ILL 0.

12:52 p.m. — Daequan Hardy, in his first game of the season, intercepts a Altmyer pass. Great coverage by the Nittany Lion cornerback. Penn State now has three turnovers today and takes over at its own 43 with 1:17 left in the first quarter.

12:50 p.m. — Alex Felkins is true from 45 yards. Penn State has two turnovers and two field goals. It’s 6-0 with 1:43 left in the first quarter.

12:44 p.m. — Interception: Altmyer’s third down pass is picked off by Abdul Carter. He brought it across midfield but there is a flag after some pushing after the play. Penn State ball either way. Illinois gets the unsportsmanlike conduct flag. The Lions will take over at the Illinois 22.

12:36 p.m. — Penn State drive stalls out on the goal line. Kaytron Allen couldn’t haul in a second down pass. The Lions didn’t get anything on first and third downs. Alex Felkins chip shot is good. Penn State 3, Illinois 0 with 5:27 left in the first quarter.

12:29 p.m. — Fumble: Dom DeLuca forces McCray to fumble and Kobe King recovered it. Penn State gets a turnover and starts at the Illinois 43 with 9:39 left in the first quarter.

12:23 p.m. — Penn State with a quick three and out. Malik McClain dropped a sure first down. The Lions will punt for the first time today.

12:18 p.m. — Penn State sent pressure on 3rd and 7 and it leads to an incomplete pass. Field goal try upcoming for Illinois. It’s no good from 47. The Lions bend but dont’ break and will take over at its own 29.

12:11 p.m. — Gabe Nwosu’s kickoff is through the end zone and we are underway at Memorial Stadium. Penn State is on defense first. Illinois starts at its own 25.

Penn State-Illinois pregame notes

12:08 — Illinois wins the toss and will receive to start this game. Penn State will kickoff to open this contest at Memorial Stadium.

12:05 p.m. — Kickoff is four minutes away. So, we’ll get underway at 12:10. Penn State looked as expected in warmups.

10:30 a.m. — The Big Ten availability report is out. Receiver Malik Megia and defensive end Smith Vilbert are OUT, in addition to defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr., and offensive lineman Landon Tengwall, who are both out for the season. Penn State receiver Harrison Wallace II and defensive tackle Kaleb Artis are questionable to play against the Fighting Illini.

For Illinois, defensive back Demetrius Hall is out. No one is questionable.

10:52 a.m. – Alex Bacchetta has not come with the team to Illinois.

10:53 a.m. – True freshmen who made the trip: King Mack, Zion Tracy, Tony Rojas, Jaxon Smolik, Elliot Washington, Jameial Lyons, Anthony Donkoh, J’ven Williams, Andrew Rappleyea

Game time, how to watch: Penn State football vs. Illinois

Venue: Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill

Kick time: Noon ET

TV: FOX

Stream: FOX Live

On the call: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (color commentary), and Jenny Taft (sideline reporter).

Penn State radio: Steve Jones, Jack Ham, and Brian Tripp will call the Penn State Sports Network radio broadcast on Saturday. It airs on 99.5 & 103.7 FM/1450 AM locally and at GoPSUSports.com online.

Series facts: This is the 27th meeting between the two schools. Penn State owns a 20-6 all-time advantage. The Nittany Lions lost their last meeting with Illinois, though, in nine overtimes back in 2021 at Beaver Stadium.

Penn State-Illinois betting line

PSU opened as a 15-point favorite. The line briefly went to 15.5 but has seemingly settled at 14.5 ahead of kickoff. The over/under betting total is 48.5 points.

Blue-White Illustrated predictions

Nate Bauer: PSU 42, ILL 17
Sean Fitz: PSU 38, ILL 14
Thomas Frank Carr: PSU 35, ILL 20
Matt Herb: PSU 34, ILL 17
Greg Pickel: PSU 38, ILL 17
Ryan Snyder: PSU 48, ILL 17

Weather report

It will be a bit humid on Saturday. But, no rain is in the forecast. Wind is not likely to be a factor, either. Temps will be in the mid 70s before and after kickoff. It should be an average mid-September day in Champaign for the players and any Penn State fans who are making the trip.

Pregame reading

Projected Penn State depth charts: Offense | Defense

Penn State’s three things: What to know about Illinois

Penn State Friday 5: Bold predictions for the Lions’ matchup with Illinois

Inside Lasch: Latest on DL Ernest Willor and other 2024 prospects, plus emerging 2025 prospects to know

Mid-week practice reports: Offense | Defense