After one quarter of play, the Penn State Nittany Lions lead the Illinois Fighting Illini by a 14-0 score. The Illini haven't helped themselves, fumbling a punt and extending a pair of drives with penalties.
Penn State received the opening kickoff, but their offense would struggle and they would be forced to punt the ball away. Illinois fumbled the punt, though, giving the ball back deep in their territory. After an Illinois penalty took the game's opening field goal off the board and gave Penn State a second chance inside the ten yard line, Zack Zwinak would pound the ball in to put the visitors up 7-0.
Illinois was forced to punt the ball away on their next drive, and Penn State again was assisted by an Illinois penalty as they drove the ball down the field. Matt McGloin punched the ball in from the one yard line for Penn States second touchdown of the game, making the score 14-0 with just under seven minutes remaining in the quarter.
Illinois would go three and out on their next possession, and they got the ball right back after stopping Penn State on fourth down. Donovonn Young would take a carry 52 yards into the PSU red zone, but Illinois would miss their field goal attempt on their last possession of the quarter.