Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/421383
PLAYER OF THE GAME Illinois wideout Mike Dudek was more than a handful for Penn State's defense Saturday, pick- ing up 115 yards on 11 catches, including a critical reception that sparked the Illini's winning drive. PLAY OF THE GAMEThere were more than a few on Saturday afternoon. For the sake of narrowing the selections, Reilly O'Toole's 25-yard pass to Dudek to open the Illini's two-minute drill put Penn State's defense on its heels at the end of the game. Seven plays and 54 yards later, David Reisner's 36-yard field goal sealed the Nittany Lions' de- feat. BEST PASS With the running game leading the way on Penn State's first possession, Christian Hackenberg put a beautiful 18-yard pass in the hands of Chris Godwin in the corner of the end zone to give the Nittany Lions a 7-0 lead. BEST RUNThe Nittany Lions needed three quarters, but Akeel Lynch's sec- ond-down carry at the beginning of the fourth might have been Penn State's best of the season. Following his blocks in the middle, Lynch bounced left, then cut back to the right sideline – while juking past the Illini safety – 47 yards into the end zone to give Penn State a 14-10 lead. BEST CATCHGodwin made good on Hackenberg's best pass by hauling in his first career touchdown reception in the first quarter. WORST DROPOn an easy rollout right midway through the first quarter, Penn State tight end Kyle Carter released from his block to a wide open space in the flat, but was unable to reel in Hack- enberg's pass. Lynch had a costly drop himself, fumbling in Penn State terri- tory midway through the second quar- ter. BEST SACKPenn State defensive tackle Anthony Zettel wasted little time in pumping his sack numbers up, drilling Illinois QB Wes Lunt with a right-arm clothesline to the chest for an 8-yard loss. BEST HITIllini back Donovonn Young leaped over Jordan Lucas on a swing pass down the left sideline, but when he landed, Penn State safety Adrian Amos blasted him out of bounds. The hit forced a fourth-down field goal that gave Illinois a 10-7 lead. BEST EFFORTPenn State freshman safety Marcus Allen might have had the best game of his young career Saturday, consistently making big stops through- out the afternoon. BEST KICKReisner nailed three on the afternoon, but his game-winner with the wind at his back - especially after missing his 50-yard attempt prior - has to get this nod. BEST DECISIONStalling with good field position midway through the first quarter, James Franklin gave his Nittany Lions a big spark with a great fake punt to Brad Bars. The decision didn't lead to points, however, as Penn State made it to the doorstep of the end zone but flubbed its field goal attempt. WORST DECISIONThe Nittany Lions appeared to have every opportunity to close out the Illini, and their failure to do so is inevitably going to elicit com- plaints about the coaches' game man- agement. Not only did the Lions shy away from the passing game after going 3 for 3 on their opening touch- down possession, but they also de- clined to take the risks necessary to win the game. This performance has "what might have been" written all over it. – NATE BAUER JUDGMENT CALLS The best and the rest from the Nittany Lions' road finale at Illinois N o V E m B E R 2 2 , 2 0 1 4 B l U E w h i t E o N l i N E . c o m 4 BEST RUN Lynch burst through the Illinois de- fense for a 47- yard TD early in the fourth quarter. Steve Manuel