CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 19 Illinois will play its second ranked road game in as many weeks as it travels to take on No. 9 Penn State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on NBC and stream on Peacock as part of NBC's Big Ten Saturday Night.
The Fighting Illini (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) make the trip to Happy Valley after recording a 31-24 (OT) road win over No. 22 Nebraska in Week 4. The victory saw the Orange and Blue become the first FBS program to register two AP Top 25 wins this season, while Illinois moved to 4-0 for the first time since 2011 and second time since 1951.
Penn State also enters the weekend with an unblemished record, with Saturday's kickoff serving as the hosts' Big Ten opener. The Nittany Lions secured a road win over West Virginia in their season opener before tallying victories over Bowling Green and Kent State to close out their nonconference slate.
Illinois and Penn State will meet for the second consecutive season after the No. 7 Nittany Lions won in Champaign on Sept. 16, 2023. This will be the Illini's first trip to Beaver Stadium since their historic nine-overtime victory in 2021 in the longest game in college football history.
Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), and Kathryn Tappen (reporter) have the call on NBC/Peacock. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the statewide radio broadcast, with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Kevin Mitchell (analyst), and Michael Martin (sideline) on the call.
Press Conference
Notes
Illinois Travels to Penn State with Two Top-25 Wins
- The Illinois football program, #19 in the Week 5 AP Top 25, visits #9 Penn State on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. CT on NBC.Â
- Illinois and #5 Tennessee are the only teams in the nation with two AP Top 25 wins this season.
- Illinois has two AP Top 25 wins during September for the first time in program history.
- Illinois has two AP Top 25 wins in a single season for the first time since 2007, when the Illini beat three AP ranked teams.
- At Nebraska, Illinois picked up its first ranked vs. ranked win since #12 Illinois defeated #25 Ohio State on Nov. 17, 2001.
- Last week's Sept. 15 AP Top 25 poll marked the earliest in the season that Illinois has been voted into the top 25 since 2008.
- Illinois and Penn State will meet as ranked foes for the first time since 2008, when #21 Illinois fell 38-24 at #12 Penn State.Â
- Since 1942, Illinois has compiled a record of 82-50-2 (.619) when ranked in the AP Top 25.
- Before back-to-back AP Top 25 wins, Illinois was 2-32 in its previous 34 games against the AP Top 25.
- Illinois is #21 in this week's Coaches Poll, while Penn State comes in at #8.
Illinois Off to Best Start of Bielema Era Â
- The Fighting Illini have knocked off Eastern Illinois, #19 Kansas, Central Michigan, and #22 Nebraska to start the season 4-0 for the second time since 1951 and first time since 2011.
- Illinois has four 4-0 starts in the AP poll era (since 1936): 1942, 1951, 2011, and 2024.
- Illinois is 4-0 with two AP Top 25 wins for the first time in program history.
- Bret Bielema improved to 22-19 in his Illinois career. He is the first head coach in program history to start .500 or better through their first 41 games since Lou Tepper started 21-19-1 from 1992-95.
- Bielema is 8-6 in Big Ten road games as head coach at Illinois. His eight Big Ten road wins are the fourth-most ever by an Illinois head coach in his first four seasons, behind only Mike White (11, 1980-83), Lou Tepper (10, 1992-95), and John Mackovic (10, 1988-91).
- Bielema is 4-5 (.444) against ranked teams (AP/Coaches/CFP) as Illinois' head coach. His .444 winning percentage against ranked teams is the second-best in Illinois history, behind only John Mackovic (8-8, .500, 1988-91).Â
- Bielema's four ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons are tied for the third-most in program history, behind only John Mackovic (8, 1988-91) and Mike White (5, 1980-83).
- Bielema tied the program record for road ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons. He is the second coach in Illinois history to win three ranked games on the road during his first three seasons, joining Lou Tepper (1992-96).
- Bielema is the first Illini coach to earn Top 25 rankings in two of his first four seasons since Ron Zook led the Illini into the top-25 rankings in 2007 and 2008, his Years 3 and 4 in Champaign, respectively. Illinois reached as high as #14 and were ranked for four consecutive weeks in October and November 2022 under Bielema.
- Following the team's Week 3 Homecoming win vs. Central Michigan, Bielema improved to 9-4 through his first 13 nonconference games (including postseason) at Illinois. It is the best record through 13 nonconference games for an Illinois head coach since Robert Zuppke started 10-3 against non-Big Ten opponents from 1913-18.Â
- Illinois' 23-17 victory over #19 Kansas in Week 2 marked the program's highest-ranked nonconference win since beating #17 Arizona, 9-7, on Sept. 16, 1995.Â
- The Illini's sellout crowd of 60,670 vs. KU was the program's first capacity crowd since Week 2 of 2016 vs. North Carolina.Â
- The Illini's win over the Jayhawks was the first in front of a sellout crowd since the Orange and Blue defeated Iowa, 27-24, in front of a packed Memorial Stadium on Nov. 1, 2008. It also marked the Illini's first win in front of a sellout home crowd vs. a nonconference opponent since Sept. 6, 1986, vs. Louisville (23-0).
- Bielema joined George Huff (1895-98), John Mackovic (1988-91), and Lou Tepper (1992-95) as the only head coaches in Illinois history to win 4+ games in each of their first four seasons leading the Fighting Illini.
Illinois Facing Stretch of Ranked Opponents
- Penn State will be Illinois' third AP-ranked opponent in the last four games. Illinois is on track to play five ranked opponents over a seven-game stretch, which would tie the program record for the most ranked opponents played during a regular season. The last time Illinois played five ranked opponents during a regular season was 2005.
- Illinois is facing three AP-ranked opponents over a four-game stretch for the first time since 2011, when the Illini fell to #21 Penn State, #22 Michigan, and #15 Wisconsin in three consecutive weeks.
- This is the first time in program history Illinois will start its Big Ten schedule with two ranked opponents on the road.
- Illinois is starting its Big Ten schedule with road games in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2008.Â
- Illinois is starting its Big Ten schedule with two ranked games for the first time since 2009.
- Saturday will be Illinois' first top-20 vs. top-20 Big Ten game since 2000 (#19 Illinois lost vs. #10 Michigan) and the Illini's first top-20 vs. top-20 road game since 1991 (#13 Illinois lost at #15 Iowa with Bielema playing for Iowa).
Ball Control and Turnover Margin
- Illinois is third in the nation and tied for first in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+1.75 per game).
- Illinois' +7 turnover margin on the season comes despite unlucky results on fumbles. Illinois has recovered four of 12 total fumbles during its games, including missing on all four fumbles at Nebraska (1 giveaway, 3 forced fumbles that Illinois did not recover).
- Illinois is 33rd in the nation in time of possession (31:49). In four games this season, the Illini are averaging 9:52 time of possession during fourth quarters, including 12:04 in the win over #19 Kansas.
The Illinois Offense
- According to PFF, Illinois is graded No. 10 in overall offense (84.5), 39th in special teams (79.6), and 49th in overall defense (80.3). The Illini rank 10th in passing (89.0), 11th in run blocking (76.2), 19th in receiving (75.8), 28th in defensive coverage (87.5)
- Illinois is tied for first in the nation in red zone offense (100%). The Illini have scored on 35 straight trips to the red zone dating back to Oct. 14, 2023, including 25 touchdowns. This season, Illinois is 16-for-16 in the red zone with 11 touchdowns and five field goals.Â
- WR Pat Bryant ranks second in the nation in receiving touchdowns and first in Power 4. Â
- QB Luke Altmyer is the only quarterback in the nation with 10+ touchdowns and 0 interceptions.Â
- Altmyer is the third Big Ten QB with 10+ passing touchdowns and 0 interceptions through four games in the last 20 years, joining Justin Fields (Ohio State) and Kyle Orton (Purdue).
- Altmyer is the No. 10 graded quarterback in the nation according to PFF (89.4, min. 100 dropbacks).Â
- Offensive lineman Melvin Priestly is the No. 3 graded tackle in the Big Ten and No. 11 in the country with a PFF grade of 82.0 (minimum 150 offensive snaps).Â
- In the kicking game, David Olano and Ethan Moczulski have made their mark among the nation's best. Moczulski's 59-yard field goal vs. Central Michigan, the first attempt of his career, set an Illinois program record and is tied for the second-longest field goal in the nation this season. Olano is 18th in the country at 1.75 field goals per game, including a career-long 50-yarder vs. Kansas.
The Illinois Defense
- In Aaron Henry's second season as defensive coordinator, Illinois ranks 15th in the nation in scoring defense (12.5). The Illini defense ranks in the top 35 nationally in interceptions (4th, 7), fumbles recovered (20th, 3), passing efficiency defense (29th, 108.3), total defense (32nd, 292.3), rushing defense (35th, 104.3), and fourth down defense (10th, 20%).
- The Illini defense has recorded an interception in all four games to open the 2024 season. Illinois has now picked off at least one pass in five consecutive games dating back to last season.Â
- Illini DBs Xavier Scott (3 interceptions), Miles Scott (2), and Torrie Cox Jr. (2) rank second and eighth in the nation, respectively, in total interceptions. They are the No. 1-ranked trio in the nation with seven combined picks.
- Three different Illini defenders have already recovered a fumble this season, tying OLBs Alec Bryant and Seth Coleman with DB Kaleb Patterson for sixth in the nation entering Week 5.Â
 Illinois Excelling in Close Games
- Illinois has a 7-3 record in one-score games over the last two seasons, including one-score wins over #19 Kansas and #22 Nebraska this season. The Illini have been underdogs in four of the seven one-score wins, including three as road dogs.
- Illinois controlled the ball for 18:11 of the second half at #22 Nebraska, while outscoring the Huskers 21-7 in the second half and overtime to secure a 31-24 (OT) win.
- Illinois shut down Nebraska's running game in the second half, limiting the Huskers to 11 carries for seven yards between the third and fourth quarters, then sacked Nebraska three times in four overtime plays for -38 yards. Over the second half and overtime, Nebraska totaled 14 rushes for -27 yards.
- Illinois won five one-score games in 2023 (5-3), tied for the most in program history with the 1934 team. The Illini's eight one-score games in 2023 were the most in program history.
- Illinois' five one-score wins in 2023 tied for the third-most in the nation during the regular season, behind only Old Dominion and Washington, which each had six one-score wins.Â
- Illinois is 3-0 in overtime games under Bret Bielema with wins against Penn State (9 OT, 2021), Indiana (1 OT, 2023), and Nebraska (1 OT, 2024).
- Five of Illinois' seven one-score wins over the last two seasons have come in the final minute or overtime. This season, Illinois topped Nebraska in overtime. Last season, K Caleb Griffin had game-winning field goals to beat Toledo (0:05) and Maryland (0:00), and WR Isaiah Williams had game-winning touchdown receptions from QB John Paddock at Minnesota (0:50) and against Indiana (OT) in back-to-back weeks in November.Â
- QB Luke Altmyer has led three game-winning drives in the final minute or overtime. He led the Illini on last-second field goal drives against Toledo (0:05) and Maryland (0:00) in 2023, then threw the deciding touchdown to Pat Bryant in overtime at Nebraska this season.
The Illinois-Penn State Series
- Illinois and Penn State meet for the first time in University Park since the Illini took down #7 Penn State at Beaver Stadium in nine overtimes — the longest game in college football history — on Oct. 23, 2021. In the ninth overtime period, QB Brandon Peters connected with WR Casey Washington in the end zone to lift the Fighting Illini to an upset win on the Nittany Lions' Homecoming weekend. The historic win also marked the 100th of head coach Bret Bielema's career. Illinois' run game fueled the offense through regulation as Chase Brown and Josh McCray rushed for 223 and 142 yards, respectively. Brown's 223 rushing yards were the most ever by an opponent at Beaver Stadium. McCray's 142 were the most ever by an Illini freshman against a ranked opponent.
- Illinois visited Penn State in back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021. In the final game of the 2020 season, which was scheduled one week prior, Penn State defeated the Illini, 56-21. Then-QB Isaiah Williams threw for two touchdowns and rushed for 102 yards with Rod Smith serving as interim head coach in the first game following Lovie Smith's dismissal. Current Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was officially hired that morning and attended the game after flying in from New Jersey, where he was living while coaching with the New York Giants.
- Illinois has won four of the last 13 meetings (2007, 2010, 2014, 2021). Prior to 2007, Penn State had won 11 of 13 meetings, including seven in a row from 1972-2000.Â
- Illinois is 2-13 all-time against Penn State teams ranked in the AP top 25, including a 1-7 record against Penn State teams ranked in the top 10. Other than 2021, the Illini's lone win against a ranked Penn State team was a 27-20 victory vs. No. 21 Penn State on Sept. 29, 2007. Last season, the #7 Nittany Lions defeated Illinois 30-13 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
- Prior to Illinois' historic road win in 2021 under Bielema, the Illini's only other win at Beaver Stadium was a 33-13 decision on Oct. 9, 2010, in Ron Zook's sixth season at the helm of the Illini program.Â
- Most rushing yards vs. Penn State: Chase Brown, 223, 10/23/2021
- Most passing yards vs. Penn State: Kurt Kittner, 326, 10/21/2000Â
- Most receiving yards vs. Penn State: Walter Young, 127, 10/21/2000Â
- Last 100-yard rusher vs. Penn State: Chase Brown, 223, 10/23/2021
- Last 300-yard passer vs. Penn State: Nathan Scheelhaase, 321, 11/2/2013
- Last 100-yard receiver vs. Penn State: Ryan Lankford, 104, 9/29/2012
Illinois-Penn State Connections
- During Illinois director of college personnel and NFL liaison Jay Kaiser's stint as director of recruiting operations at Kansas State (2002-08), he worked with Penn State head coach James Franklin, who served as the Wildcats' offensive coordinator during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.Â
- Illinois' OL TJ McMillen and DB Grayson Griffin were high school teammates of PSU long snapper Tyler Duzansky at St. Francis High School, where the three played for TJ's father, Bob McMillen.Â
- Illinois' roster has one player from the state of Pennsylvania, freshman OL Zafir Stewart. Stewart hails from Philadelphia, Pa., where he starred at Imhotep Charter with three Penn State players: freshman WR Tyseer Denmark, freshman CB Kenny Woseley Jr., and redshirt sophomore LB Keon Wylie. Â
- Penn State director of athletics Patrick Kraft is a native of Libertyville, Ill.Â
- Illinois assistant linebackers coach Grant Morgan, who starred at Arkansas, led the Razorbacks to a victory over Penn State in the 2021 Outback Bowl, his final collegiate game.Â
COMPLETE GAME NOTES (PDF)
