Illinitalk

Congratulations to Coach Ron Zook and the Illini! They notched the first Illini win at Penn State on a beautiful Homecoming Day in Happy Valley.

Although Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions have fallen out of the rankings this season after tough losses at Alabama and Iowa that banged up their defense, beating Penn State still sounds pretty good. (Especially after the consistent disappointment of last season.) A 20-point win on the road at a traditional powerhouse can be considered a statement win. The Illini can legitimately claim to be the most improved team in the conference.

The Illini had plenty of highlights, but the problems on special teams could (and probably should) have caused a different outcome.

• For returner Jack Ramsey, one mistake (the dropped opening kickoff that fortunately was recovered by Nate Bussey) led to another (fumbled punt #1) which led to another (fumbled punt #2). It's painful to ask your D to stand up again -- in the red zone -- after they've successfully forced a punt.
  
• When you have one of the top punters in the game, the least you can do is showcase his skills by successfully downing the ball where he places it. Anthony Santella has been fantastic this season, and his first punt of the game was placed perfectly just outside the goal line. But his teammates let it slip through their hands and in to the end zone.
• Again, with a fantastic kicking game, the rest of the guys on the field need to cover the returner up a bit better. The Nittany Lions had solid returns, and were often just a tackle away from breaking open a big play.
  

But beyond those miscues, the Illini played very, very well. The defense kept Penn State in check, allowing just one big play. Compared to last year, the defense has perhaps improved the most of any of the units on the field.

• Nate Bussey earned a spot on the ESPN Impact Play of the Week ballot and a College Football Final helmet sticker with his pick-6 in the second quarter. That play did shift momentum, despite the quick answer from Penn State. Oh, and he had 8 tackles, as well as covering up the first Illini fumble of the day.
  
• The defense held Penn State to a field goal in the red zone not once but twice, after punt fumbles.
  
• Evan Royster, likely on his way to becoming the all-time leading rusher for Penn State, was held to just 35 yards for the game.
  
• Penn State converted just 2 of 14 3rd downs, and a 4th-and-1 attempt (early in the game when it still mattered) failed, as well. In fact, they had just 7 1st downs for the entire game.
• Constant pressure on freshman QB Rob Bolden contributed to a long day with just 8 of 21 passing and 2 sacks.

To be fair, early in the game the tackles didn't look as solid as they had against other teams. And Justin Green did get beat by Penn State's top receiver on the only big play of the day. And to be honest, you can't ask for much more.

The offense kept the ball moving with solid, sustained drives.

• The Illini rushed for 282 yards on the day, led by Mikel LeShoure with 119 yards on 27 carries. He did a great job of driving the pile forward for extra yards. Jason Ford and Troy Pollard also had some great carries. The O-line did a great job opening holes and blocking.
  
• Scheelhaase passed for 151 yards, going 15 of 19 on short, easy underneath passes. Including the pass to A.J. Jenkins that he took to the end zone for the first TD of the game. Again, the O-line did a good job providing the protection he needed to make those short, quick passes.
• The option -- both QB keepers and pitches -- looked pretty good. There were a few risky passes, but overall the Illini offense seems to be coming together.
  
• Long, sustained drives wore out the Penn State defense, and limited the opportunities Santella had to show off his skills.
• Ford's touchdown pass showed us a bit of Paul Petrino's creativity. This season should be entertaining.

I would like to see Scheelhaase stop trying to go over the top for extra yards at the end of runs. It looks cool, but it also increases his chances of injury.

And despite the issues on special teams, the Illini kicking game is fantastic. Derek Dimke was 4 for 4 on field goal attempts, including a 50-yarder that just had the distance needed.

Next week at Michigan State will be very tough, but the Illini have continued to improve, and they should be able to put up a fight in East Lansing. But, for now, what a great confidence-builder this game was.

Go Illini!

Labels: Anthony Santella, Derek Dimke, Illini football, Mikel Leshoure, Nate Bussey, Nathan Scheelhaase