Penn State is tied with Illinois at halftime

STATE UNIVERSITY | Penn State and Illinois entered halftime tied 7-7, which became a field position and defensive duel in the second quarter. Both teams scored on their first possession, but the defense neutralized the game after that.

A quick recap of the first half between Penn State and Illinois.

Penn State makes a key stop in the red zone

Illinois had scored in the red zone on 36 consecutive possessions since October 2023, including Saturday’s first game. Late in the second quarter, the Illini had a 1st-and-goal lead from Penn State’s 2-yard line and appeared poised to take a 14-7 lead. Then a mini meltdown.

A high snap on first down (after a Penn State timeout) resulted in a loss of 9 yards. Penn State defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon stuffed a run on third down. And then Illinois was called for grounding when quarterback Luke Altmyer threw into an empty end zone to force fourth down. Illinois’ 40-yard field goal attempt went 45 yards, which Illinois missed to keep the score at 7-7. Penn State dodged one there, although Beamon’s run stuff and Dani Dennis-Sutton’s third-down pressure helped keep Illinois out of the end zone.

Another opening score

Penn State had played 28 straight games without giving up a touchdown on its opening drive before Bowling Green ended that streak in Week 2. Illinois ended the next streak with a score, covering 75 yards in 11 plays, guided by Altmyer’s early hot hand. Altmyer completed two passes to Zakhari Franklin, one for 13 yards on third down, then found a wide-open Carson Goda for a 4-yard touchdown pass. Goda waved through the formation and exposed himself to score the easy hit.

Penn State falls away from the race in a key series

Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen brought their most stubborn teams to bear in Saturday’s game, sharing control of Penn State’s offense. Both defenders overran Illinois defenders on first-down carries, with Allen averaging 12.7 yards per carry on his first three attempts. They also had space on the edges as Penn State’s line stretched Illinois’ first seven yards to its limits, and dominated a second quarter series that began at Penn State’s 7-yard line.

But then offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki diverted the ball away from the run and called for three consecutive pass plays (albeit one on 3rd-and-6). Quarterback Drew Allar made some hot throws on two incompletions, and Penn State settled for a 40-yard field goal attempt.

Kicker Sander Sahaydak, who entered the game 2-3 on field goals, missed to keep the score intact.

Tyler Warren adds a rushing touchdown

Tight end Tyler Warren scored Penn State’s first touchdown by diving into the end zone from 3 yards out for his first rushing touchdown of the season. Warren has now received, passed and rushed for touchdowns in four games.

Both coaches decide to punt

Penn State had a very short 4th-and-1 in the second quarter, making coach James Franklin’s decision to punt somewhat surprising. Granted, the ball was at Penn State’s 42-yard line, but Franklin can be aggressive in those situations. Earlier, Illinois punted at Penn State’s 40-yard line, albeit on 4th-and-7.

Injury update

Penn State guard Sal Wormley was injured on the Nittany Lions’ first offensive series and did not return. JB Nelson replaced Wormley, who played 28 games in the starting lineup.

Additionally, the Nittany Lions were without linebacker and special teams captain Dom DeLuca and running back Cam Wallace. Both were injured last week against Kent State.

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Penn State on SI is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, following three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on X (or Twitter) @MarkWogenrich.