Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/84628
KEY MATChuPS P E N N S TAT E V S . I L L I N O I S | B Y E R I C T H O M A S W H E N P E N N S T A T E H A S T H E B A L L PENN STATE RUNNING GAME VS. ILLINOIS RUN DEFENSE PENN STATE PASSING GAME VS. ILLINOIS PASS DEFENSE PENN STATE RUNNING GAME 124.0 YPG, 3.7 YPC ILLINOIS RUN DEFENSE 100.2 YPG, 3.2 YPC THE LOWDOWN The good news: Bill Belton will probably be back in the lineup. Here's the bad news: The Lions' running game is still a work in progress. Maybe now that Belton is back and healthy, this is the week it gets jump-started. Belton doesn't have to be a 25-carry back or a 1,300-yard rusher. He simply needs to be an option and someone who can provide a breakaway threat. Michael Zordich says he's good to go, as does Derek Day. And you have to like what Zack Zwinak did last week against Temple. That said, Illinois' defensive line is very good. EDGE Illinois PENN STATE PASSING GAME 254.5 YPG, 12.0 YPC ILLINOIS PASS DEFENSE 224.0 YPG, 12.6 YPC THE LOWDOWN Matt McGloin has made a lot of good decisions, so this looks to be a favorable matchup for Penn State. He is buying time in the pocket, and he's not forcing throws as often. He's also spreading the wealth, with nine players having caught at least one pass last week. Allen Robinson and Kyle Carter are off to great starts. Illinois' defensive backfield was shredded by Louisiana Tech, and the Illini also struggled to stop Arizona State and Western Michigan in their first two games. This could be a long day for the Illini secondary. EDGE Penn State W H E N I L L I N O I S H A S T H E B A L L ILLINOIS RUNNING GAME VS. PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE ILLINOIS PASSING GAME VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE ILLINOIS RUNNING GAME 144.8 YPG, 4.1 YPC PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE 150.7 YPG, 3.4 YPC THE LOWDOWN Despite a 250-yard effort against Arizona State, the Illinois rushing attack has been ho- hum at best. Josh Ferguson and Donovonn Young are sharing the load at tailback, and the offen- sive line has been banged up. Senior center Graham Pocic should return to action after missing two games with a knee injury, and Illinois will be happy to have him back. But you have to think that the return of Penn State defensive end Sean Stanley will help push the running backs toward the mid- dle, where Jordan Hill and company will have a chance to clean up. EDGE Penn State ILLINOIS PASSING GAME 201.0 YPG, 9.6 YPC PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE 211.8 YPG, 10.6 YPC THE LOWDOWN Illinois' passing attack is led by Reilly O'Toole and Nathan Scheelhaase. Scheelhaase is expected to start, but both will play. Who will be effective? Who knows. Ryan Lankford is the Illini's top target with 16 receptions and four touchdowns. He's also averaging 15.4 yards per catch. Penn State cornerback Adrian Amos went down late in the Temple game with what appeared to be a head/neck injury, but he's OK. This is going to be a trouble spot for the Lions all season due to depth, but the secondary has held its own for the most part. EDGEEven O T H E R M A T C H U P S SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWN Justin DuVernois is averaging 43 yards per punt, so Illinois will rely on field position. Tommy Davis has the best chance at returning punts but hasn't gotten on track yet. PSU's return game has taken a step in the right direction with Jesse Della Valle fielding punts. This could be the type of game where Alex Kenney gets a chance to do something in the return game, too. EDGEEven THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN Illinois got embarrassed by Louisiana Tech… at home. Does anything else really need to be said in this section? This is not a good football team. And don't forget that the Illinois coaching staff tried harder than any other staff to pluck players from Penn State after the NCAA dropped its ham- mer on the Nittany Lions. EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF THE LOWDOWN So, you're Bill O'Brien, and a player texts you saying that Tim Beckman has assistants in State College actively recruiting your players. How would you approach this week's game? Yeah, I'd be pretty pumped up, too. O'Brien has been downplaying this angle all week, and he'll no doubt shake hands with Beckman afterward, but rest assured, PSU's staff is well-motivated. EDGE Penn State S E P T E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 2 3 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M