The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated Illinois 21-7 in Big Ten football

STATE UNIVERSITY | No. 9 Penn State improved to 4-0 with a busy 21-7 victory over Illinois Saturday night at Beaver Stadium, which was draped in white for an unofficial “Penn State White Out.”

After a shaky defensive start, Penn State held Illinois (4-1) scoreless for three quarters and limited the Illini to 59 yards rushing in the second half. Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen were dominant, but other issues arose as well. The breakdown of the Big Ten opener at Penn State.

The turning point

Penn State cornerback AJ Haris made his first interception since transferring from Georgia, leading to cathartic cheers from the tense crowd of 109,911 at Beaver Stadium in the fourth quarter. Illinois, which had just 7 yards of offense on the first two series of the second half, had a little momentum but had to deal with fourth and sixth. Quarterback Luke Altmyer got out of control on the blitz and threw straight to Harris, who returned the interception 49 yards for an alleged touchdown.

And since Penn State refused to make it easy all night, that couldn't be the case. A block-in-the-back penalty negated the pick-6 and forced Penn State's offense back onto the field. Coach James Franklin was angry and stressed, just as he had been when Dani Dennis-Sutton was caught offside on a previous 4th-and-6 play. Luckily for the Nittany Lions, Illinois' fourth false start of the game got them back to fourth and sixth.

After missing a first-drive touchdown for the second time in three games, Penn State's defense caved again. Illinois only had two possessions in the third quarter because Penn State ran out the clock while running the ball. Illinois, which rushed for 53 yards in the first half, gave up minus-19 yards in the second half.

A decisive defensive series at the end of the half

Illinois had scored in the red zone on 36 consecutive possessions since October 2023, including Saturday's first game. Late in the second quarter, the Illini had a 1st-and-goal lead from Penn State's 2-yard line and appeared poised to take a 14-7 lead. Then a mini meltdown.

A high snap on first down (after a Penn State timeout) resulted in a loss of 9 yards. Penn State defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon stuffed a run on third down. And then Illinois was called for grounding when quarterback Luke Altmyer threw into an empty end zone to force fourth down. Illinois' 40-yard field goal attempt went 45 yards, which Illinois missed to keep the score at 7-7. Penn State dodged one there, although Beamon's run stuff and Dani Dennis-Sutton's third-down pressure helped keep Illinois out of the end zone.

Penn State is working on conversion

Running back Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen were the best players on the field, combining for 196 of Penn State's 239 rushing yards. They ran around and through defenders (Singleton carried a defensive back for a third-down pass conversion) and livened up the Nittany Lions' offense. Both scored rushing touchdowns, with Allen clinching the victory with a 5-yard score with 1:55 left. They also took over drives, with Allen rushing for 102 yards on Penn State's dominant touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.

However, Penn State struggled to convert the running game's performance into points. The Nittany Lions finished three drives inside the Illinois 25-yard line with no points. Kicker Sander Sahaydak missed two 40-yard field goals and Penn State failed to convert a 4th-and-3 from the Illinois 17-yard line in the third quarter.

An important change too late. Kicker Ryan Barker replaced Sahaydak on the extra point after Allen's touchdown. Sahaydak has missed three of five field goals this season and competition for the job is looming.

Penn State's defensive front stands up

The offside penalties continue to bother Franklin. The Lions signed three more, one of whom was turned down. But otherwise, the defensive line had a big impact on Altmyer and Illinois' running game. Abdul Carter played his best game of the season with seven tackles (3.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks. He picked off a third-down pass to stop a drive and punctuated the win with a sack fumble against Altmyer in the final minute. Meanwhile, Zane Durant tossed a guard aside for a second-half sack and had two TFLs. He also made four crucial tackles. Durant is one of Penn State's unsung defensive stars this season.

Back to Warren Fountain

Penn State looks to tight end Tyler Warren Wildcat three more times, with Warren scoring Penn State's first touchdown of the game. He jumped into the end zone from three yards out and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season. Warren has now received, passed and rushed for touchdowns in four games.

However, it could be that Penn State tapped the well one too many times, putting it in the Wildcat's favor on a 3rd-and-7 play in the fourth quarter. Warren, who was not a threat to throw in this situation, handed the ball to Allen, who gained 3 yards. Sahaydak missed the ensuing field goal.

Injury update

Penn State guard Sal Wormley was injured on the Nittany Lions' first offensive series and did not return. JB Nelson replaced Wormley, who played 28 games in the starting lineup. Cornerback Jalen Kimber was injured during a punt in the fourth quarter. Additionally, the Nittany Lions were without linebacker and special teams captain Dom DeLuca and running back Cam Wallace. Both were injured last week against Kent State.

Next

Penn State hosts UCLA on Oct. 5 in the final game of its four-game homestand. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET at Beaver Stadium.

More Penn State football

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Why Saturday's game wasn't the Penn State White Out

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Penn State on SI is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, following three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on X (or Twitter) @MarkWogenrich.