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Mauti took special exception to it. "If you're gonna wish us well and then try to take our kids, then I've got a problem with that," he said at the time. When the Nittany Lions traveled to Champaign the following September, Mauti responded with six tackles, a forced fumble and two interceptions, one of which he returned down the Illini sideline while barking profanities at his foes. Penn State went on to win that game 35-7, and then it squeaked out another last season, so at least on the field, the Nittany Lions have delivered their pay- back. And apparently the players have rested their case, as Mauti didn't even bring it up during his phone conversation with Hull earlier in the week. "No, he didn't mention it at all," Hull said. "I think it's water under the bridge. We're just focused on going out there this weekend and putting on another good performance and getting a win to go 4-1 on the road this year." Perhaps one reason why it's no longer a topic of conversation is because, even though the Penn State camp regarded Illinois' tactics as underhanded and shady, they never provided much of a benefit. The only Penn State player who transferred to Illinois was offensive line- man Ryan Nowicki. He eventually trans- ferred from Illinois, ending up at a smaller school in his home state of Ari- zona. Meanwhile, Illinois has accumulated a lowly 10-24 record over the past three seasons, which also happens to be Beck- man's career record with the school. As a result, dating back to the start of this season, questions have surrounded Beckman and his job security. Following the fiDh loss in six games, those questions heated up at his news conference this week. "I've been around winning my whole life," Beckman said in response to Illi- nois' recent downslide and his profes- sional future. "Losing isn't something that I enjoy by any means. In 2007, just seven years ago, I was in a national championship game, coaching it. Not because of me, but because it was a good football team. I've been around winning a long time, and, yes, [losing] does bother me because I love winning. I want to win for these kids. I want these kids and nothing but these kids to know what it's like to change something." He's aiming for that turnaround to begin this weekend vs. Penn State. Al- though his team is two games shy of a .500 record and two games shy of bowl eligibility, Beckman said spirits remain high because, compared to last season, the team is in better standing. "We don't have a problem with morale. It's been up," Beckman said. "We understand what's at stake. They know how hard they worked since De- cember right after the [season-ending loss to] Northwestern last year. We got in the weight room that next Monday. That's exactly what these football play- ers understand. They understand they've won four football games and at this time last year they hadn't won four football games, so we are a better foot- ball team." Can they prove that this weekend against a team that Illinois hasn't beaten since 2010? Beckman sure hopes so. Illinois has already equaled last sea- son's win total, but it's still two victories short of bowl eligibility, and that extra game could buy Beckman an extra year or two. His goals, however, extend beyond just a bowl game. "If we take care of business the next two football games or three football games, that's a seven-win season," he said. "But we have to win one at a time. We haven't won five yet." Winning a fiDh, and then a sixth in order to claim bowl eligibility like the Nittany Lions, will certainly bode well for Beckman's future with the Illini. But even if the wins don't come, Beckman argues, the program is still heading in a positive direction and has shown im- provement from previous seasons. "It's about winning; I understand that," he said. "But I'm excited about the re- cruiting class. We had some official visi- tors in last week who were good kids, so we're going to continue to do what we've gotta do to build this program." That seemed to be his goal a few sum- mers ago when his assistants were on Penn State's campus. Apparently, though, that didn't go as well as planned. That's water under the bridge by now, anyway. NATE BAUER RECORD 8-2 After the past two weeks, Penn State should dance past Illinois, right? No, not really. For as many strides as the Nittany Lions have made, maintaining their momentum has been a weekly challenge. They'll meet it, but this game will be closer than you might think PENN STATE 23, ILLINOIS 17 PHIL GROSZ RECORD 7-3 I like the matchups in this one. Penn State's defense should continue to dominate, and the offense will build on its momentum with linemen Donovan Smith and Miles Dieffenbach leading the way. PENN STATE 30, ILLINOIS 14 MATT HERB RECORD 7-3 You'd like to think that Penn State will have some success running the ball given the improvement it showed against Temple with Dieffenbach and Smith back in action. But unless the defense goes on another turnover spree, this one's gonna be close. PENN STATE 20, ILLINOIS 14 TIM OWEN RECORD 8-2 Against one of the worst run defenses in the country, Penn State builds on its rushing success from a week ago, and its defense continues to play up to standard, although Wes Lunt will prove to be a challenge. PENN STATE 26, ILLINOIS 16 RYAN SNYDER RECORD 8-2 Illinois is improving, but Penn State's defense should be able to limit the Illini to no more than two touchdowns. If that's the case, the Nittany Lions should win. PENN STATE 24, ILLINOIS 10 N O V E M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 2 BWI'S FORECAST

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