Do you believe it? The ugly offensive display in the first quarter continued through the second, and now the game remains tied 0-0 in a cold, blustery game at Beaver Stadium. The offenses have combined for only 9 first downs on 71 plays. The Illinois Fighting Illini offense has a total of 79 offensive yards to Penn States' 97. Both teams have two turnovers. Both teams have failed field goal attempts. And both teams look incapable of scoring.
Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Matthew McGloin is 4 for 13 with only 33 passing yards. Only Silas Redd has looked effective on the day, rushing for 74 yards on 14 carries. The Illinois passers -- Reilly O'Toole and Nathan Scheelhaase -- have combined for a 6 for 10 and a pathetic 22 yards.
It looked as if the Illini would close the first half with a 3-0 lead when a Rob Bolden fumble gave Illinois great field position with less than 3:00 to go. Illinois worked down to the nine yard line, but a mishandled long snap from Tim Russell led to a late interception and yet another failed scoring opportunity.