Penn State Football's key Players vs. Illinois start with Ta'Quan Roberson

Penn State Football’s key Players vs. Illinois start with Ta’Quan Roberson

STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Ta'Quan Roberson #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass for a touchdown against the Ball State Cardinals during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 11, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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Ellis Brooks #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Penn State Football Linebacker – Ellis Brooks

The strength of the Illinois football team is their running game. They have two very talented running backs in Chase Brown and Joshua McCray, so Penn State’s linebackers need to have a great game against the run.

The duo of Brown and McCray may be the most underrated in the Big Ten, and if they played for someone other than Illinois, they would probably household names.

Chase Brown is averaging 6.9 yards per carry, and McCray is averaging 5.3, both great averages. They both have good vision, can run through arm tackles, and fight hard for extra yards, so Ellis Brooks and the rest of the linebackers will need to rally to the football and make plays against the run.

Ellis Brooks has been one of the best players for this Penn State Football defense, leading the team with 44 tackles. He has been great in run support, even against good running teams such as Wisconsin and Iowa.

Another great day by Ellis Brooks in run support will help to shut down (and maybe even shut out) Illinois’ one dimensional offense.

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