Penn State
Game Report
Game Balls
Offense
WR Mike Dudek, Illinois
It seemed like the true freshman had every big catch. In all, he hauled in 11 passes for 115 yards, including a 25-yarder to get the game-winning drive started.
Defense
LB Nyeem Wartman, PSU
The Valley View grad had a big game filling in for injured teammate Brandon Bell. He piled up nine tackles, including one for loss on the Illini’s last series.
Special teams
K David Reisner, Illinois
He came into the game just 1-for-3 on the season, and the Illini had made just two field goals all year. But Reisner went 3-for-4 against the NIttany Lions, including a season-long 36-yarder to take the lead for good with eight seconds left.
Player of the game
QB Reilly O’Toole, Illinois
The Illini’s backup quarterback relieved struggling starter Wes Lunt on the final drive of the first half and turned the game around in Illinois’ favor. He finished 18-for-25 for 157 yards and a touchdown.
By the numbers
0 — Games Illinois led after three quarters this season before Saturday
2 — Third-down conversions in the game for Illinois
3 — Field goals made by Illinois, which converted on just two attempts in its first 10 games.
47 — Yards on PSU RB Akeel Lynch’s lead-taking touchdown run in the fourth quarter
93 — Passing yards for Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg, a career low
132 — Total yards allowed by Penn State’s defense on Illinois’ drives that closed the first and second halves.
Report card
Quarterback: Christian Hackenberg started well for the Nittany Lions, but once again, his day unraveled under pressure and without many options at which to throw. Completed just eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. No receiver caught more than two passes. GRADE: D+
Running backs: It’d be easy to praise Akeel Lynch, who gained 137 yards, ran for a 47-yard score and had two catches. But he also fumbled. Bill Belton had just six carries because of a shoulder injury, which really hurt the squad in the second half. GRADE: B-
Receivers: Once again, the receivers struggled to break anything open deep. DaeSean Hamilton and Eugene Lewis, who were so crucial early in the season making big plays, combined for 15 yards on two catches. That’s not getting it done. GRADE: D+
Offensive line: Against a defense not as strong as Temple’s, the blocking wasn’t as sharp. PSU rushers couldn’t break the edge, and Hackenberg was harassed a bit. Not worst effort, by far. But not a winning one, either. GRADE: C-
Defensive line: Most of the game, it did a brilliant job. But nobody could get enough pressure on Illinois QB Reilly O’Toole in the final two minutes of either half. Lions finished with eight tackles for loss, but very few when it mattered. GRADE: C
Linebackers: This group did a credible job playing without Brandon Bell, who was out with a shoulder injury. Mike Hull and Nyeem Wartman were all over the place, piling up 19 tackles. Freshman Jason Cabinda was solid, too. GRADE: B+
Secondary: Look, Mike Dudek is a pretty good receiver, but you have to stop a 5-11 freshman when you know he’s the guy getting the ball. Penn State couldn’t cover the kid, though. He finished with 11 catches for 115 yards. Secondary has to shut a go-to guy down. GRADE: D+
Special teams: Outside of a few solid punts into the wind by Daniel Pasquariello, this was an unacceptable performance. Holder Chris Gulla fumbled a fine snap to take a chip-shot field-goal attempt away. The second-half kickoff was botched. And an offside on Evan Schwann that gave Illinois a first down on a first-half punt cost Penn State the game. GRADE: F
Coaching: There was little debating the big calls in the game, especially the late decision to put the defense on the field with less than two minutes left. But Penn State got far too conservative on offense. OC John Donovan’s offense didn’t try to do enough to bail out the defense when it had the chances. GRADE: D-
— Compiled by Donnie Collins