No. 10 Penn State looking to dodge Illinois

[September 19, 2018]  A huge showdown looms on the horizon for No. 10 Penn State but everyone associated with the Nittany Lions insists they aren't looking ahead.

Of course, a loss at Illinois would certainly take a lot of luster off Ohio State's visit to Happy Valley on Sept. 29.

The Nittany Lions will keep their blinders on Friday night as they look to improve to 4-0 when they open Big Ten play against the Fighting Illini at Champaign, Ill.

Penn State has won its first three games by an average of 35 points but isn't counting on an easy time against Illinois (2-1).

"We're just focusing on ourselves," senior running back Mark Allen said at a press conference. "If we continue to focus on ourselves, each game will care for itself. This week we have Illinois, we're going to focus on ourselves in practice, continue to work hard, execute in practice. And Big Ten play will be Big Ten play. Every game matters to us."

The Nittany Lions have been thriving behind quarterback Trace McSorley (six rushing touchdowns, five passing) and a pass rush that has 13 sacks. Penn State has won its past two games -- over Pittsburgh and Kent State -- by a cumulative 114-16 score.

Junior defensive end Shareef Miller has a team-best three sacks, which accounts for half of his team-leading six tackles for loss.

Illinois coach Lovie Smith is aware of the Nittany Lions' prowess and sees the matchup as an opportunity for his team.

"These are the kind of games, where we are with our program, we look forward to this challenge," Smith said at a press conference. "When you play an opponent like this, you want to play them at home. We're going to show up excited about seeing exactly how much improvement we can make and how we come back from adversity."

The Illini are looking to rebound from a discouraging 25-19 loss to South Florida. Illinois led 19-7 entering the fourth quarter before giving up 18 unanswered points.

Senior linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips pinpointed the defense's problem.

"Focus. Got to focus until the clock hits zero," Phillips said. "No matter how much we're up or how much we're down, stay focused. Lock in on what we need to do, lock in on our technique to execute and finish every play."

Phillips (24 tackles) is tied for the team lead of two interceptions with freshman cornerback Jartavius Martin. Sophomore linebacker Jake Hansen leads with 26 stops and six tackles for loss for a unit allowing 21 points per game.

Who will start at quarterback has yet to be determined.

Senior AJ Bush missed the South Florida game due to a hamstring injury and true freshman M.J. Rivers stepped in and completed 20 of 29 passes for 168 yards.

The Illini will get five players back from three-game suspensions for violating team rules. Back are three starters -- sophomore tight end Lou Dorsey, sophomore cornerback Nate Hobbs and sophomore safety Bennett Williams -- as well as sophomore receiver Carmoni Green and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Deon Pate.

"They've got some guys that they're expecting back," Penn State coach James Franklin said at a press conference. "So we'll plan accordingly, but again we can only do so much based on what we see on tape. We'll adjust to what we find out on Friday."

The Nittany Lions lead the series 18-5.

--Field Level Media

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