Penn State 63, Illinois 24: What Twitter Had To Say

Every week when the Penn State Nittany Lions take the field the world of Twitter is alive and well. Friday night was no different as the Nittany Lions clubbed Illinois 63-24 and had Twitter buzzing in the process.

Friday night was the best night of Miles Sanders Penn State career, and the junior running back was off and running early. As part of a Nittany Lion rushing attack that racked up 387 yards, Sanders started the scoring on Friday night.

In the second quarter true freshman tight end Pat Freiermuth recorded his first career touchdown reception. While it was only a 3-yard reception, it was an interesting one as he nearly fell victim to the turf monster.

With the Nittany Lions leading 21-7, Illinois had first and goal inside the five yard line. The Illini fumbled the ball into the end zone and it appeared that the Penn State defense was going to get a stop that had the potential to break the Illini. However, instead of just falling on the ball Nick Scott tried to scoop it up, never got possession, and lost the ball into the air allowing Illinois to come down with it. Twitter was not pleased.

Adding insult to injury, Illinois scored a touchdown on the next play.

After Illinois, thanks in large part to a dropped interception by Tariq Castro-Fields and Penn State penalties, scored to start the second half to take a 24-21 lead, Sanders continued his big night. Boobie ripped off a 48-yard touchdown run to give the Nittany Lions a 28-24 lead.

Sanders finished the night with a career high 200 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown pass that was negated by penalty.

Following a McSorley touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson, the Nittany Lion defense stepped up. Jan Johnson recorded his first career interception, leading to a touchdown pass from McSorley to KJ Hamler on the next play from scrimmage.

True freshman running back Ricky Slade was given a bigger role on Friday night due to Mark Allen being out. Not only did Slade embrace this role, but he excelled with his first career two touchdown game.

While the Nittany Lions were victorious against the Fighting Illini, it was not all pretty. Plenty of Penn State fans, myself included, are quite worried about the defense heading into next Saturday’s showdown with Ohio State.

To the credit of Brent Pry and his players, Penn State’s defense held the Fighting Illini to just 157 yards of offense and 7 points in the second half.

For the first two quarters and a drive Friday night proved to be a trap game. It was a weird start time, a weird night to play a game, and the week before the Buckeyes come to town. The Nittany Lions have plenty of work to do this week, but what matters it they’re 4-0.

It’s Ohio State week.