Illinois vs Penn State score today: Live updates, highlights from Illini 21-7 loss to Nittany Lions
(This story was updated to add photos.)
Illinois football saw its best start in 13 seasons come to an end Saturday with a 21-7 loss to Penn State in a battle of unbeaten, ranked Big Ten teams at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Penn State's running game was too much for Illinois, which saw the Nittany Lions roll up 241 yards on 43 rushes for three touchdowns.
The Illini got off to the best start possible in the game, too, taking the opening kickoff and marching 75 yards on 11 plays for a 7-0 lead on quarterback Luke Altmyer's 4-yard TD toss to tight end Carson Goda.
The Nittany Lions said "right back at ya" with their answering drive, going 75 yards on 8 plays. Tight end Tyler Warren moved into the backfield and leaped over the pile into the end zone for a 3-yard TD run and 7-7 tie with 5:34 left in the first quarter.
The Illini stayed even in a battle of field position after that, getting terrific punts from 31-year-old Australia product Hugh Robertson, who pinned Penn State on the 4 and the 8.
The Illini had a first-and-goal at the Penn State 2 with under two minutes left in the half, but self-destructed with a fumble for lost yardage, and intentional grounding penalty, a false start and a missed 45-yard field goal.
Penn State opened the second half with a 12-play, 74-yard drive to take a 14-7 lead on a 4-yard run by Nick Singleton. The drive ate up 6:16. Nittany Lions kept it on the ground 8 plays on that drive and had 145 yards on 24 rushes at that point.
It stayed right there as the game moved into the fourth quarter. Penn State stepped it up and sacked Luke Altmyer twice to kill the Illini opening drive of the final quarter.
Then Altmyer threw his first pick of the season, to A.J. Harris, on a fourth-and-6 with under 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Nittany Lions put it away after that, getting a five-yard TD run up the middle from Kaytron Allen with 1:55 left in the game for a 21-7 lead.
The No. 21 Fighting Illini were 4-0 to start a season for the first time since 2011 when they started 6-0 to start the regular season under Ron Zook. Illinois has wins over Eastern Illinois, No. 19 Kansas, Central Michigan at home and on the road at then-ranked Nebraska.
Who picked Illini, Nittany Lions? Illinois-Penn State 'College GameDay' predictions
No. 8-ranked Penn State is now 4-0 start to the season behind a strong defense and a varied offense behind quarterback Drew Allar. The Nittany Lions were picked to finish third in the Big Ten.
What Illinois coach Bret Bielema and others said after loss:
● Illini coach Bret Bielema, after the 21-7 loss:
"I felt on the plane ride over here I had a good football team. I think we still feel good about where we're at."
● Bielema, on a Penn State running attack that piled up 241 yards:
"When they wanted to run the football we couldn't get off the field, they were able to monopolize the clock. I think we had maybe one offensive possession in the third quarter.
● Bielema, on how the team will handle a disappointing loss:
"I stress all the time you learn more in moments of adversity than in moments of success. So it's going to be important for all of us, starting from me on down, to learn from the things that caused us to fail tonight and make sure we grow. Can't just leave it here in Penn State. We got to take it with us on the plane and unfortunately, own it."
● Bielema, on the Illini drive to the Penn State 2 just before halftime that ended up with no points:
"That drive right before the end of the first half, you get it first-and-goal at the 2, that was a huge momentum swing right there, to have a couple miscues, misfires, to end up being wide on the field goal."
● Penn State head coach James Franklin, on holding Illinois without any points after it was first-and-goal on the 2:
"When Illinois had the ball on the 2 yard line at the end of the second quarter, the fans were significant there, our defense was significant there. From that point on -- we held them out of the end zone there … from that point on they only had 39 yards the rest of the game. That was huge."
Here are our live updates as Illinois football take on Penn State, including highlights, score and more:
Illinois vs Penn State score updates
Watch Illinois football vs Penn State live (free trial)
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | ||
ILLINOIS | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 7 |
PENN STATE | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | — | 21 |
FINAL: No. 9 Penn State 21, No. 19 Illinois 7
The Illini fall from the unbeaten, now 4-1, as Penn State's offensive line and ground game controled the game and wore down the Illinois defense.
Kaytron Allen delivers 21-7 Penn State lead
Penn State delivers a knockout punch with a 5-yard TD run up the middle for 21-7 with 1:55 left.
Allen and Nick Singleton have combined for 34 carries and 196 yards, two touchdowns. The Nittany Lions have pounded the rock 43 times for 241 yards and three TDs.
Altmyer throws his first interception
Facing fourth-and-6 at their own 48, the Illini dial up a pass and it turns into quarterback Luke Altmyer's first interception of the season.
Altmyer was the only QB in the nation with at least 10 TD passes to not have thrown an interception.
Penn State defensive back A.J. Harris picked it off and took off for what initially was a pick-6, but the play was reduced by a block in the back on the return.
Penn State takes over at the Illini 41 with 5:46 left.
Sayhadak misses field goal again
Penn State drives to the Illinois 23 but gets nothing as left-footed kicked Sander Sahaydak misses wide right on a 41-yard field goal. He missed from 45 earlier.
Illini still hanging in just seven down.
Penn State sacks Altmyer twice
Illini answering drive at outset of fourth quarter shut down as quarterback Luke Altmyer is sacked twice.
Penn State riding the crowd and the game feels like it's turning against Illinois right now.
Fleming, Penn State, stopped on fourth down
Penn State goes for it on fourth down and 3-yard pass to Julian Fleming is stopped by Illini short for a change of possession with 62 seconds left in third quarter.
Singleton breaks the tie
Penn State opens the second half with a 12-play, 74-yard drive to take a 14-7 lead on a 4-yard run by Nick Singleton. The drive ate up 6:16. Nittany Lions keep it on the ground 8 plays on that drive and now have 145 yards on 24 rushes.
HALFTIME: Illinois 7, Penn State 7
Illinois running back Kaden Feagin with 10 carries for 58 yards in first half. Zakhari Franklin 4 catches for 49 yards. Luke Altmyer 9 of 13 for 107 yards, 1 TD.
Penn State running back tandem Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton combined 88 yards. Nittany Lions have 104 rushing yards on 16 carries and a TD in the half.
Illini self-destruct on goal line
Illinois was sitting on first-and-goal at the Penn State 2 with 1:41 left in the half and ended up with no points. It's the first time this season -- in 18 red zone trips -- that Illinois did not score.
Luke Altmyer fumbled the snap for a loss of nine. On third-and-goal from the 14, both Illini receivers fell down and Altmyer fired the ball into the end zone, after which he was flagged for intentional grounding.
David Olano came on for a 40-yard field goal, but the Illini took a false start penalty, and Olano missed a 45-yarder on the re-kick with 48 seconds left.
You missed, Sander Sahaydak
Penn State drives 69 yards on 13 plays, but it bogs down on a pair of incomplete passes. Nittany Lions kicker Sander Sahaydak misses a 40-yard field goal and game remains 7-7 with 5 minutes left in the half.
Another monster punt by Robertson
Robertson hammers a 49-yard punt that forces a fair catch on the Penn State 8 with just under 11 minutes left in the half.
Hugh boots a beauty
Illini 31-year-old Australian native and punter Hugh Robertson pins Penn State with a great kick to the 4.
Tyler Warren help Penn State counter-punch
The Nittany Lions said "right back at ya" with their answering drive, going 75 yards on 8 plays. Tight end Tyler Warren moved into the backfield and leaped over the pile into the end zone for a 3-yard TD run and 7-7 tie with 5:34 left in the first quarter.
Goda gives Illini the high ground
The Illini march 75 yards on 11 plays during the game's opening possession to punch Penn State in the mouth for a 7-0 lead on a drive that used up over five minutes.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer hits uncovered tight end Carson Goda in the end zone for a 4-yard TD pass to cap it.
Illinois has scored on 36 consecutive trips into the red zone, dating to Week 7 of 2023. The Illini are perfect in the red zone this season, scoring on 17 of 17 trips.
Illinois vs Penn State injury updates
The Big Ten Conference availability report multiple players listed as out for the Fighting Illini or Penn State. The list is below:
Illinois vs Penn State time today
Date: Sept. 28, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
The Big Ten matchup between Illinois and Penn State kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania.
What channel is Illinois vs Penn State game on today?
TV channel: NBC | Fubo (free trial) | Sling TV
Streaming: Peacock (subscriber only)
The Fighting Illini and Nittany Lions will be broadcast nationally on NBC. Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge will call the game from the booth at Beaver Stadium, with Kathryn Tappen reporting from the sidelines. The game can also be streamed on Peacock (subscriber only) and Fubo, which offers potential subscribers a free trial.
Illinois vs Penn State history
Series record: Penn State leads 21-6
Last Illinois win: 20-18 (9 OTs), Oct. 23, 2021
Last Penn State win:30-13, Sept. 16, 2023
Did you know? These two programs met four times between 1954 and 1972 but did not meet again until 1993.
Illinois vs Penn State predictions
All three of the Journal Star's reporters pick Penn State to win the game, but think Illinois will cover the spread. The panel on ESPN's "College GameDay" also all picked Penn State.
Illinois vs Penn State predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM, as of Sept. 26, 2024.
As of Thursday, the Illinois Fighting Illini are a 17.5-point underdog in the road Big Ten game, at Penn State. The money line is +600 and the over/under is 47.5 points.
Spread: Illinois by 17.5
Money line: Illinois +600
O/U: 47.5
Illinois vs Penn State weather update
For the first time, the Fighting Illini could battle some rain. The forecast calls for temperatures of about 70 degrees to start the game in University Park, Pennsylvania, and dropping to the mid-60s by game's end. There is about a 20 percent chance of rain.
Illinois schedule 2024
See Illinois football prices for every game this season
This is the Illinois football 2024 schedule, with TV info; all times are CT.
Thursday, Aug. 29: Illinois 45, Eastern Illinois 0 | Recap
Saturday, Sept. 7: Illinois 23, Kansas 17 | Recap
Saturday, Sept. 14: Illinois 30, Central Michigan 9 | Recap
Friday, Sept. 20: No. 24 Illinois 31, No. 22 Nebraska 24 (OT) | Recap
Saturday, Sept. 28: at No. 8 Penn State | 6:30 p.m. | NBC (Fubo free trial) | Peacock (subscriber only)
Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Purdue*
Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. No. 12 Michigan*
Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 7 Oregon*
Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. Minnesota*
Saturday, Nov. 9: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. Michigan State*
Saturday, Nov. 23: at Rutgers*
Saturday, Nov. 30: at Northwestern*
Penn State schedule 2024
Saturday, Aug. 31: Penn State 34, West Virginia 12
Saturday, Sept. 7: Penn State 34, Bowling Green 27
Saturday, Sept. 14: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 21: Penn State 56, Kent State 0
Saturday, Sept. 28: vs, No. 21 Illinois | 6:30 p.m. | NBC (Fubo free trial) | Peacock (subscriber only)
Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. UCLA | 11 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 12: at USC | TBA
Saturday, Oct. 19: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 26: at Wisconsin | TBA
Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. Ohio State | TBA
Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Washington | TBA
Saturday, Nov. 16: at Purdue | TBA
Saturday, Nov. 23: at Minnesota | TBA
Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Maryland | TBA
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois vs Penn State: Game updates, live score in college football
