Penn State passes first test, Lions dominate the line of scrimmage, and more of what they're saying after Illinois win
STATE COLLEGE — Penn State did not cover a nearly three-touchdown spread on Saturday against Illinois. But, it still had a happy Homecoming game in front of 109,911 fans at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions pulled away from Illinois late en route to a 21-7 victory that marks its fourth in 2024. Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen powered the win, as each found the end zone with the latter breaking the 100-yard mark.
” I mean, they ran hard,” quarterback Drew Allar said. There was a lot of guys that they were running over today. I think that sets a tone for us as an offense. When we see them being super physical runners, we obviously know that both their ability to both break longer runs. When they’re running people over, just put them on the ground and gain an extra three, four yards.
“That’s a big help to our offense. We are able to be more aggressive, and we’re ahead of the sticks. They both did a great job tonight. It was great to see them get in the end zone and really seal the deal for us.”
Here’s what is being said about the team locally and nationally after the win.
Penn State passes its first test
That’s the take from Yahoo Sports’ writer Ian Casselberry. Penn State met its first-ranked opponent on Saturday and outgained it 374-219 and allowed just 34 rushing yards.
“If this was a test, the Nittany Lions passed it with a 21–7 win at State College,” Casselberry writes. “The night game at Beaver Stadium was not officially a “White Out” (that will be Nov. 9 versus Washington), though fans were dressed in white for the nationally televised prime-time clash.
“However, coach James Franklin called for “White Out energy” on Saturday night and how Illinois responded in that environment might indicate how well the rest of its season could go. The results were not particularly impressive.”
Penn State dominated the line of scrimmage
That’s the take from PennLive’s Bob Flounders. The Nittany Lions mauled Illinois on offense to the tune of 239 rushing yards and just two sacks allowed. And, the defensive line created seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
“The Lions (4-0, 1-0) were too physical at the line of scrimmage on both sides,” Flounders writes. “Penn State’s offensive line got the job done while dealing with injuries at the guard positions. Sal Wormley left the game on the Lions’ first possession and JB Nelson, Wormley’s replacement, couldn’t finish the contest. PSU was working with Vega Ioane and true freshman Cooper Cousins at the guard spots in the fourth quarter.
“Altmyer was held to 185 passing yards on 16 completions. But he wasn’t the problem for Illinois. The Penn State run game, with an assist from the Lions’ defense, was the problem.”
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Warren shines again
Tyler Warren continues to make a case to win the Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end. He was a runner and a receiver on this night and shined in the blocking game as well.
“Penn State went to tight end Tyler Warren Wildcat three more times, with Warren scoring Penn State’s first touchdown of the game,” Mark Wogenrich writes for SI. “He dived into the end zone from 3 yards out for his first rushing touchdown of the season. Warren now has receiving, passing and rushing touchdowns through four games.
“However, Penn State might have tapped the well once too often, putting him in the Wildcat on a 3rd-and-7 play in the fourth quarter. Warren, no threat to throw in that situation, handed off to Allen, who gained 3 yards. Sahaydak missed the ensuing field goal.”
Penn State ground game rises to the occasion
We end with BWI reporter Nate Bauer’s look at the Lions’ ground game. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen ran over and around Illinois defenders throughout the game to lead their team to victory.
“Working in tandem with Singleton, Kaytron Allen produced a similarly bruising style of play,” Bauer writes. “Eclipsing the century mark on the ground, Allen’s 102 yards and a game-cementing touchdown came on 18 carries.
“A pivot Penn State understood as necessary once Illinois quickly abandoned its heavy man-coverage defensive approach, the mimicking blueprint of a ground-and-pound attack became a weapon.”
