After lighting up the scoreboard a week ago in an easy win, Penn State had to find a way to win a defensive battle in its Big Ten opener on Saturday night. After Illinois marched right down the field in surgical fashion on the game’s opening possession for a touchdown, Penn State’s defense locked down for the rest of the night. Penn State’s offense didn’t have the explosiveness they have displayed at times early this season, but there was just enough offense to score a 21-7 victory on Saturday night in Beaver Stadium.
[autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag]’s five-yard touchdown right up the middle coming out of the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter gave Penn State the elusive breathing room it had been looking for. Allen’s touchdown run put him at 102 rushing yards on the night on 18 rushing attempts. His partner [autotag]Nicholas Singleton[/autotag] had a solid night as well with 94 rushing yards on 16 carries. Singleton also scored a touchdown on a run on Penn State’s first offensive series of the night, answering the opening drive by Illinois. Singleton also caught two passes for 25 yards for over 100 all-purpose yards.
[autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] was not able to get too many deep balls to go his way, and he was off the mark on a few passes in the first half, but he did play a turnover-free game and passed for 135 yards. Allar also picked up some yards with his legs in key spots.
Penn State’s defense was the story of the night for the Nittany Lions. Jayden Reed led the defense with 9 tackles and the team combined for seven sacks of Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer. Altmyer also tossed his first interception of the year, courtesy of Georgia transfer [autotag]A.J. Harris[/autotag]. Harris would have scored a touchdown on his return if not for a block in the back penalty on Penn State.
If there is one thing Penn State head coach James Franklin will be displeased with, it may be his team’s penalties. After harping on the discipline in recent weeks, Penn State was flagged for six penalties for 63 penalty yards, many coming at critical times on defense, including a block in the back on an interception return in the fourth quarter that wiped a defensive touchdown off the board.
But Franklin’s bigger concern may be the status of his special teams. Penn State kicker [autotag]Sander Sahaydak[/autotag] missed two field goals, one from 40 yards and another from 41. The kicking woes did not hurt Penn State in this game, but this will have to be discussed as a potential problem moving forward.
Penn State will be home next week for another Big Ten matchup with new conference member UCLA. Penn State has not played UCLA since 1968 and UCLA has not played in Beaver Stadium since 1967. Kickoff is set for noon Eastern as part of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff programming. Fox will bring its pregame show to Happy Valley as well.
Illinois will be off next week and will host Purdue in Week 7.
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