Blue White Illustrated

GAME GRADES QUARTERBACKS Christian Hacken- berg had arguably the best quarter of his career to start the game, completing 8 of 9 passes for 92 yards and a touch- down. As the game wore on, he wasn't able to keep up that pace, but he fin- ished 21 for 29, with 266 yards passing and two TDs. GRADE A RUNNING BACKS Following a below- average performance against Maryland, freshman Saquon Barkley got rolling again vs. the Illini. He had a few excel- lent plays in the third quarter to keep drives alive, while his touchdown to start the fourth quarter was another example of his exceptional athleticism. You can argue that he was to blame for at least one, possibly two of Hacken- berg's sacks, but the pass blocking will come with time. Barkley is clearly the best playmaker this team has. In addi- tion to his 84 yards rushing, he had 58 yards receiving. GRADE A RECEIVERS Chris Godwin continues to show Nittany Lion fans that he has the potential to be one of Penn State's all-time leading receivers. There were a few dropped passes, but overall, I thought the receivers made big plays when needed. Five receivers recorded at least two catches, so it's good to see all of the young players in this unit gaining valuable experience. GRADE B OFFENSIVE LINE Illinois picked up three sacks in the first half, but Hack- enberg had time in the pocket through- out most of the game. The rushing game was also consistent, so overall, I thought it was a good showing for the offensive line, especially when you con- sider how much everyone has moved around due to injuries. GRADE B DEFENSIVE LINE They didn't record a sack until the second quarter, but Penn State's front four were able to pressure Wes Lunt on roughly three-quarters of his 30 pass attempts in the first half. That continued in the second half. When it came time for the Illini to make a move, Illinois was held to minus-6 yards in the third quarter. GRADE A LINEBACKERS Troy Reeder's inter- ception in the first quarter swung the momentum in Penn State's favor, and the Lions rode it throughout the game. As a whole, I thought the tackling also improved. Whenever a team holds its opponent to just 16 yards rushing be- fore putting in the second string, the linebackers are getting an A in my book. Even with the young players late in the game, Illinois managed to gain just 37 yards rushing. GRADE A DEFENSIVE BACKS Penn State regu- larly had five, sometimes six defensive backs on the field to shut down the Illini passing attack, and it was suc- cessful throughout the game. The bend-but-don't-break approach held Lunt to just 130 yards passing, his low- est total of the season. There were a few sloppy tackles, but for the most part, the Illini receivers were blanketed throughout the game. GRADE B SPECIAL TEAMS After two blocked extra points, plus a kick out of bounds, Franklin swapped Joey Julius for walk- on Tyler Davis. Davis didn't disappoint, converting two field goals, one of which was a 42-yarder. In addition, Koa Farmer had an excellent return to start the second half, setting up a short touchdown drive. Julius brings this grade down a bit, but it's important to note that he suffered a minor injury last week against Maryland. GRADE C COACHES Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop brought the house in the first half, and that was a major reason why Lunt only completed half of his 30 at- tempts. Shoop also used a clever nickel scheme early and often, which allowed Marcus Allen to make a few nice plays in space. I thought John Donovan was also solid. He tried to get a bit too creative at times, but the offense was able to con- sistently move the ball throughout the game, totaling 400 yards. GRADE A CROWD It wasn't the best of crowds, but those who did show were loud – at least by noon-kickoff standards – throughout the game. It was also cool to see all the purple in the student section, which was to recognize for- mer Penn State student Kayla Nakonechni, who passed away from brain cancer. GRADE B O c T O B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 5 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 10 PSUtixman@gmail.com www.PSUtixman.com Get your PSU Football Tickets at go t ti cke t s? k c i t t t e k man@g .PSUtixm www.PSUtixman.com at ootba Get yo k c i t t o gm .PSUtixman.com all ur s t s e k R Y A N   S N Y D E R | B L U E W H I T E I L L U S T R A T E D

• Cover