After three quarters of play from Champaign, the Illinois Fighting Illini trail Penn State 28-7. They've been better since the start of the second half, but they have a lot of work to do if they want to come back to beat their Big Ten rivals.
Illinois was extremely sloppy in the first half, but on their last drive of the half they started to establish a little offensive rhythm. They continued to look better on offense on their first possession of the second half, driving 75 yards down the field to cut the deficit to 21-7. Josh Ferguson found Spencer Harris for the 22-yard touchdown strike.
Penn State got the lead back up to three scores when quarterback Matt McGloin ran the ball into the end zone from a yard out. It was McGloin's second rushing touchdown of the game, and his fourth of the year. Illinois moved the ball well on their next possession, but Michael Mauti's second interception of the game ensured that the lead remained 21 at the end of three quarters.
Penn State will begin the fourth quarter with the ball inside their opponent's red zone as they look to put the Illini away.