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Penn State Football: getting to know Illinois | 3 key players

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) runs the ball during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) runs the ball during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois Football
Owen Carney Jr. #99 of the Illinois Fighting Illini (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Owen Carney Jr. – Defensive Line

Penn State football’s offensive line has been an issue at times this season and should be sure to know where defensive linemen Owen Carney Jr. is at all times Saturday afternoon.

Carney Jr. not only leads the Illini, but ranks third in the Big Ten with five sacks in 2020. The senior also has 24 total tackles and a forced fumble to go with five sacks, and has been Illinois best player on that side of the ball. The Miami native has put together a very solid career in Champaign with 9.5 sacks for his career.

Carney was a menace in their week two game against Purdue, tallying three sacks and a forced fumble, showing he can wreck a game if given the chance. At defensive end, the senior will be lined up over tackles Caeden Wallace and Rasheed Walker most of the game, and will be a very good test for redshirt freshman Wallace who has been solid since being inserted in the starting lineup week four.

Penn State Football quarterback Sean Clifford has been sacked a conference worst 18 times this season so the Nittany Lions are susceptible to a good pass rush. Last week though however, Penn State’s offensive line did not allow a sack against Michigan State.

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