2023 Penn State football game grades: Illinois

No. 7 Penn State walked away with a gritty, not pretty 30-13 victory over unranked Illinois on Saturday. The win comes as Drew Allar’s first road victory as a starting quarterback and the Nittany Lion’s “revenge game” from their nine-overtime loss from 2021.

Before the blue and white head into its White Out game against Iowa, here are the first Penn State game grades against a Big Ten opponent this year.

Offense: C+

For the first time this season, the Penn State offense does not receive an A grade in its 2023 report card.

The running back room didn’t have that big flashy moment against Illinois that it had against West Virginia and Delaware. Kaytron Allen was the only running back to surpass 50 yards on the day, with Beau Pribula coming in second with 47 yards after the first-team offense was subbed out in the fourth quarter.

Nicholas Singleton had a touchdown and 37 yards rushing on 11 carries but was utilized more in the passing as he led the team with three receptions for 49 yards. Trey Potts was also used in the passing game, but not so much as a receiver. He was used as a thrower to record Penn State’s only passing touchdown on the day.

As for Allar, he failed to record a touchdown for the first time this season, and he had the worst completion percentage statistic of his career. The sophomore went 16 of 33 for 208 yards, and while two of them were recorded as drops from Malik McClain, the air attack didn’t look the same.

The absence of Harrison Wallace III and the offensive line’s struggles could have played a part in it. However, the first road game against a Big Ten opponent can always be highlighted as the main cause and something to be improved upon for the future.

Defense: A-

Penn State’s defense was lights out in all aspects of the game, which led to a high grade this week. Across the board, the Nittany Lions put out their full potential in hostile territory, which resulted in dominance at the line and a boatload of turnovers.

The defensive line led by Coziah Izzard put a ton of pressure on the quarterback, Luke Altmyer. Izzard’s two sacks on Saturday were just one part of the blue and white’s success to create chaos in the backfield.

That chaos translated into the fewest rushing yards that Penn State has given up all season. On 29 attempts, Illinois failed to open a lane wide enough for Reggie Love III and Kaden Feagin to burst through.

Altmyer and the Illini then had to rely on the passing game without support from the rushing attack to keep the offense on the field. The Nittany Lion’s secondary took that opportunity and forced four interceptions from four different players to give their offense a chance to pull away.

While the defense was the main reason for the blue and white’s success, the Nittany Lions did not receive a perfect grade after multiple missed tackles. On the Illini’s first touchdown of the game, Love III caused one defender to miss before he carried two defenders into the end zone.

Special Teams: B+

Despite a blocked field goal, Penn State’s special teams have continued to progress as the weeks go on. Alex Felkins has built himself a resume to keep the starting kicker role after he hit two chipshot field goals and a perfect 45-yard field goal.

Punt and kickoff coverages have also built on themselves after a week-one breakdown against West Virginia. Kaden Saunders and Singleton have yet to break one loose but have done their jobs of setting the offense up in manageable positions on returns.

Riley Thompson had six punts on Saturday and was consistent on his opportunities. Thompson’s longest boot went for 45 yards which was close to his average yards per punt of 43.8.

Coaching: B+

In the first road game of the season, head coach James Franklin prepared his squad as best as he could for the Orange Out in Champaign. It wasn’t all perfect, but adjustments were made on the fly and at half to keep the team ahead of the Illini.

A significant reason for the high coaching grade this week was the 1st down and 10-play call from the Illinois 11-yard line in the third quarter. Allar snapped the ball and pitched it to Potts, who threw it to Warren for a touchdown.

Whether it was Mike Yurcich, Franklin or an assistant coach who made the call, it was a defining moment in the game and the final grade.

Micheal Bolger is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mpb6233@psu.edu.