Penn State’s powerful rushing attack led them to a 21-7 victory over Illinois on Saturday night. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen combined for 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns, helping the Nittany Lions improve to 4-0 on the season. The game was tied at 7-7 at halftime before Penn State took control in the second half.

Singleton’s 4-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the second half gave Penn State the lead, and their defense then stepped up, forcing turnovers and shutting down the Illinois offense. The Illini, who entered the game with a 4-0 record, struggled to move the ball for the remainder of the game, managing only 25 rushing yards and allowing seven sacks.

Both teams scored on their opening drives, but then struggled offensively for the rest of the first half. Illinois showed promise early in the game with a touchdown drive, but Penn State’s defense made key adjustments to stifle their momentum.

Despite the loss, Illinois can take pride in their strong start to the season and will look to regroup during their upcoming bye week. Meanwhile, Penn State showcased their dominant rushing attack and solid defense, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup against UCLA next Saturday.

The Nittany Lions will host UCLA in their next game, while Illinois will face Purdue on October 12. The game highlighted Penn State’s strength in the running game and their ability to make crucial defensive adjustments when needed. It was a hard-fought victory for Penn State, further solidifying their status as a top contender in the Big Ten conference this season.