Penn State Football: Position grades versus Illinois 2018

By Dylan Burd | Sep 25, 2018

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball as Bennett Williams #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reaches for the tackle during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

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Penn State football defeated Illinois 63-24 in Champaign on Friday night after outscoring the Fighting Illini 35-0 in the fourth quarter following another slow start.

Friday night’s Penn State football-Illinois showdown was ended with what was probably one of the most deceiving scores in Nittany Lions’ history. There’s no sugar coating it, this game was a scare for Penn State fans through the first three quarters, as the Nittany Lions only led the Fighting Illini 28-24 going into the final quarter.

Of course, this could have to do with playing an away game at one of the furthest Big Ten schools from State College on short rest, but Illinois is one of the worst teams in the conference. Not only are the Fighting Illini one of the worst teams in the conference, but they were starting a freshman quarterback, and managed to put up 411 yards of total offense against Penn State.

If the Nittany Lions want any chance of beating Ohio State on Saturday night, they’re going to have to make massive adjustments defensively. Playing against Dwayne Haskins and J.K Dobbins is a lot different from playing against M.J Rivers II and Reggie Corbin.

The win vs. Illinois moved Penn State to 4-0 on the 2018 season, and moved them up in the AP Poll to #9.

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