#19 Illinois Drops Road Contest at #9 Penn State

Game Recap: Football | September 28, 2024

RECAP

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 19 Illinois fell to No. 9 Penn State, 21-7, in a ranked road contest at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night.

The Fighting Illini opened the scoring, but 21 unanswered points from the Nittany Lions proved to be the difference in the matchup between the two ranked Big Ten programs.

Kaden Feagin recorded a team-high 13 carries and amassed 76 total yards of offense, including a 34-yard carry for the Illini’s longest rushing play of the season thus far. Josh McCray finished with two catches for 38 yards and had a 30-yard catch-and-run to convert on a third-and-21 in the second quarter. Zakhari Franklin tallied team-best marks with four receptions for 49 yards. 

Carson Goda registered his first touchdown since joining the Orange and Blue, securing a 4-yard score on the Illini’s first possession of the night.

Luke Altmyer went 16-for-25 for 185 yards and one touchdown.

Matthew Bailey led the Illinois defense with nine tackles, while Gabe Jacas was credited with his team-leading third sack of the season.

No. 19 Illinois (4-1, 1-1 B1G) will take its first off week of the season next week before returning to Memorial Stadium to host Purdue on Oct. 12. Kickoff time and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

HIGHLIGHTS

PRESS CONFERENCE

POSTGAME NOTES

Team Notes

• Illinois scored a touchdown on its opening drive, the fourth straight game with an opening-drive score.
  • The Illini have scored a touchdown on three straight opening drives.

• The Illinois defense held Penn State to a season-low seven points in the first half.
  • The Nittany Lions had previously scored 20, 20, and 28 points in the first half in their first three games.

Player Notes

• QB Luke Altmyer completed 16 of 25 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
• RB Kaden Feagin carried the ball 13 times for 64 yards.
  • His 34-yard rush in the second quarter was Illinois’ longest rushing play of the season.

• WR Zakhari Franklin caught four passes for 49 yards.
• WR Hank Beatty caught two passes for 39 yards.
  • Career-high mark in yards.

• WR Pat Bryant caught two passes for 33 yards.
  • Has a reception in 17-straight games, dating back to last season.

• TE Carson Goda recorded the first touchdown reception of his Illini career on Illinois’ opening drive of the game.