Penn State-Illinois: Inconsistent Nittany Lions Still Win Convincingly

After witnessing a very exciting game in Happy Valley, I have been able to draw a few conclusions about Penn State. 

Penn State played inconsistently, Tom Bradley cannot figure out how to play defense against a no-huddle offense, D-Will is starting to break out, and we can win against a good team even if we don't play well.

Our first offensive and defensive drives were horrendous.  We were stalled to one first down on our first offensive drive, and Illinois was able to drive down the field and score. 

Then our offense exploded and our defense was still pretty weak over the next few drives.  I was pretty happy to go into half with a 21-14 lead after a mediocre first half.

In the second half, our defense started to step up.  It was able to cause turnovers and hold Illinois to minimal yardage in the third quarter, while our offense struggled to get going in the second half.

In the fourth quarter, our offense and defense both played very well.  There was one play, however, where a mix-up in coverage left sophomore sensation Arrelious Benn wide open with 30 yards of open field, and he was able to score a touchdown.

Later in the fourth, our defense was unable to stop the option.  The Illini had at least 10 straight plays of runs and options, and we couldn't stop them. 

Our defense was able to bend and not break, and a kickoff return for a TD by Derrick Williams early in the fourth, along with some good offensive plays was enough to give us a win by a comfortable margin.

Illinois would play the hurry-up basically the whole game, and Tom Bradley and the defense had some troubles.  We were not able to sub well, which led to the defense being tired and getting pushed off the line.  It also led to the defensive line being confused and running around to get into position just before the ball was snapped.

If Tom Bradley and his defense cannot find a solution to this, other teams could take advantage and we could face major problems in future games.

Derrick Williams...what a game!  With his family in attendance, D-Will was able to run for a TD, receive a TD pass, and run a kickoff back for a TD.  This is something no other Penn State player has done before under Joe Paterno.

Maybe it was his parents' attendance that gave him the inspiration to have a great night, or maybe he is finally breaking out.  D-Will said that he wanted to be a difference maker this season, and he is beginning to become one.

Overall, we did not play well in this game.  We were inconsistent.  Both our offense and defense struggled much too often, and we clearly weren't prepared for the Illinois style of offense. 

Even though we didn't play well and could've played much better, we still won by 14 against a ranked team.  I'm sure if we played like we should've, we could have won by 30, but it really doesn't matter how much you win by, as long as you win.  Penn State is looking like a great team and should move up in the rankings after this huge win.

The game was great, the whiteout was awesome, and the student section was crazy throughout the entire game.

Here are some stats for you:

Daryll Clark was 14-for-20 and threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns.  Evan Royster had 19 carries for 139 yards and no touchdowns.

Stepfhon had six rushes for 22 yards and a fumble, but no touchdowns.  Daryll Clark ran 11 times for 50 yards and a touchdown.  Derrick Williams had six carries for 33 yards and a touchdown.

Derrick Williams had six receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown, while Butler, Royster, and Quarless each had two receptions, with Quarless having a touchdown as well.  Graham Zugg and Stepfhon Green each had one reception. 

Anthony Scirrotto had an interception and a fumble recovery.  Navarro Bowman had a forced fumble.  Derrick Williams had a kick return touchdown.

Illinois passed 24 times and rushed 42 times, while Penn State passed 20 times and rushed 44 times.  The game's attendance was totaled at 109,626, the eighth-largest in Beaver Stadium history.