STATE COLLEGE | Penn State improved to 4-0 on the season with a gritty 21-7 win against Illinois under the lights Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Here are the key takeaways from the Nittany Lions’ second win over a ranked team this season.

Offensive line, running backs dominate

Penn State’s offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, leading to a big day on the ground. Kaytron Allen had 102 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Nicholas Singleton had 94 yards and a score on 16 carries. Combined, the duo averaged 5.8 yards per carry.

“I don’t know if there’s a better combination of running backs in the country,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “There were physical runs today, so I couldn’t be more proud of that group and how they’re playing.”

On top of Penn State’s two-headed monster at running back, Gadget quarterback Beau Pribula added 17 yards and do-it-all tight end Tyler Warren had 13 yards and a touchdown. In total, the Nittany Lions gained 239 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, putting consistent pressure on a solid Illinois defensive line.

Franklin said that given how well Penn State ran the football against Illinois, it “would have been stupid to get rid of it.”

Pass rush goes to the city

The Nittany Lions had four sacks and 15 tackles for loss in their first three games. Against Illinois, they had seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Penn State made five of those sacks in an assertive second half.

Defensive end Abdul Carter led with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble to seal the game. His partner at the end, Dani Dennis-Sutton, had a bag of his own. Zane Durant, Jaylen Reed and Kobe King each had a sack, and Smith Vilbert had half a sack.

“Everyone has a game plan for him (Carter), but he does a great job and still finds ways to play for the team when we need him,” Reed said.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer was under constant pressure and did well to avoid early sacks on several plays. But when the Fighting Illini needed completion in critical time, the Penn State pass rush proved too much.

Penn State is struggling to put Illinois aside

Despite outgaining Illinois 181-59 in total yards in the second half, Penn State just couldn’t put away the Fighting Illini. On their second drive of the half, the Nittany Lions marched 43 yards in nine plays. But faced with a 4th-and-3 from the Illinois 17-yard line, Franklin kept his offense on the field instead of giving kicker Sander Sahaydak a chance from 34 yards. On the fourth down play, Julian Fleming made the catch, but fell just short of the first down.

The next possession, Penn State drove downfield again. On a 3rd and 7, Penn State ran the ball for three yards (tight end Tyler Warren handed off to Kaytron Allen) to set up 4th and 4. This time Sahaydak was sent out to try from 40 yards, and he hooked the ball wide on the right.

The goal might have been to set up a 4th-and-short and go for it, but Franklin apparently liked his chances at Sahaydak more than his chances to convert on a 4th-and-4. Ultimately, these were two excellent opportunities to put Illinois aside. With the way Penn State’s defense played, a two-score lead would have been a nice cushion, but Penn State couldn’t find the knockout punch late.

Late in the fourth, cornerback AJ Harris could have had a pick-6 to seal the deal, but a block in the back on Zion Tracy negated the touchdown. Penn State finally scored late in the fourth to make it 21-7, but this game remained close for far too long.

Against elite teams, Penn State can’t get away with playing with its prey.

Sahaydak struggles

Sahaydak missed two 40-yard field goals on Sunday, and questions about Penn State’s kicker situation are once again emerging. The junior is now 2-of-5 on the season. He missed a 47-yarder against West Virginia before making field goals from 43 and 28 yards against Bowling Green.

After Sahaydak’s second miss against Illinois, he was replaced by freshman Ryan Barker, who scored an extra point on his first career kick. It seems like Barker would be the next man in line if Penn State made a change. Tulsa transfer Chase Meyer, who made 17 of 20 kicks with the Golden Hurricane, could also be in the mix.

“Ultimately we will have a competition, and all these things will play a role in some of the decisions we will have to make in the future, but I want Sander to celebrate this victory like everyone else, because he has put a lot into this,” said Franklin. said.

More Penn State football

The Penn State Report Card: Illinois Edition

Penn State vs. Illinois Breakdown: Nittany Lions defense takes control

Penn State’s 1994 team returns home: “They’re legends here”

Sam Woloson has covered Penn State athletics for the past three years and is currently editor-in-chief of The Daily Collegian. His work has also appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Huntingdon Daily News and Rivals. Follow him on X @sam_woloson