SB Nation Chicago - Illinois Fighting Illini Vs. Penn State Nittany Lions: Illinois Loses It Late, 10-7https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2011-10-29T18:23:52-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22874322011-10-29T18:23:52-05:002011-10-29T18:23:52-05:00Penn State Score Late; Illini Cannot Come Back, Lose 10-7
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<th class="td-left"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/events/76323">Final - 10.29.2011 </a> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>7</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/penn-st-nittany-lions">Penn St. Nittany Lions</a> </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>10</td>
<td class="highlight">10</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/events/76323">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
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<p>Despite a strong showing in the snow from their defense, the Illinois Fighting Illini (6-3) could not close out a win against the No. 19 Penn St. Nittany Lions (8-1). With the win, Penn State coach Joe Paterno earns his 409th all-time win, making him the all time Division I leader in wins.</p>
<p>The Illin held Penn State scoreless through the first three quarters, themselves not scoring until the <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2011/10/29/2523586/illinois-fighting-illini-score-first-take-7-0-lead-over-penn-state/in/2287432">turnover-laden third quarter</a>. Illini quarterbacks <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75932/nathan-scheelhaase">Nathan Scheelhaase</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134624/reilly-o-toole">Reilly O'Toole</a> combined for only 94 yards passing, but it was sophomore Sheelhaase who looked in control, leading the Illini down the field late for an attempt at a game-tying field goal.</p>
<p>Scheelhaase finished the day with 63 passing yards and an impressive 89 rushing yards, while senior running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48215/jason-ford">Jason Ford</a> reached the century mark on the ground, rushing for 100 yards on 24 carries. The Illini defense, which had abused the Nittany Lions offense all day, generating three turnovers and limiting quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin">Matthew McGloin</a> to only 98 yards passing, could not stop the Penn State defense late.</p>
<p>With only 3:05 remaining in the game, McGloin drove down the field, leading to a crucial <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> three yard touchdown run. The Illini had nearly stopped the surging Nittany Lions, but a key pass interference on 4th and 6 extended the drive and may have cost the Illini their win.</p>
<p>The Illini were able to drive as far as the Penn State 25 yard line with only 0:05 seconds left, but kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48931/derek-dimke">Derek Dimke's</a> 42 yard field goal attempt clanged off the right upright, ending the game.</p>
<p><i><b>Be sure to visit <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/" target="_blank">Black Shoe Diaries</a> for the latest Penn State news and notes. For all of your University of Illinois needs, pay a visit to <a href="http://www.hailtotheorange.com/" target="_blank">Hail to the Orange</a>. </b></i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2011/10/29/2523718/penn-state-score-late-illini-cannot-come-back-lose-10-7Bradley Woodrum2011-10-29T16:55:18-05:002011-10-29T16:55:18-05:00Illinois Fighting Illini Score First, Take 7-0 Lead Over Penn State Nittany Lions
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<p>Scoreless no more.</p>
<p>After a first half that left both offensive coordinators <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2011/10/29/2523502/illinois-fighting-illini-penn-state-nittany-lions-score-halftime/in/2287432">embarrassed</a>, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini" class="sbn-auto-link">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> have finally scored against No. 19-ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/penn-st-nittany-lions">Penn St. Nittany Lions</a>.</p>
<p>Each team already has an interception in the second half, but after the Nittany Lions could not convert on a 4th and short near their own 35 yard line, the Fighting Illini turned to quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75932/nathan-scheelhaase" class="sbn-auto-link">Nathan Scheelhaase</a> and running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48215/jason-ford" class="sbn-auto-link">Jason Ford</a>. The pair rushed for 33 yards, including a 19 yard run from Ford, leading to a sharp 10-yard touchdown pass from Scheelhaase to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113707/spencer-harris" class="sbn-auto-link">Spencer Harris</a> for the first score of the game.</p>
<p>After the touchdown drive, both teams now have 3 turnovers, but the Illini now lead the yardage game, having 155 total offensive yards to the Nittany Lions' 135.</p>
<p><i><b>Be sure to visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/">Black Shoe Diaries</a> for the latest Penn State news and notes. For all of your University of Illinois needs, pay a visit to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hailtotheorange.com/">Hail to the Orange</a>. </b></i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2011/10/29/2523586/illinois-fighting-illini-score-first-take-7-0-lead-over-penn-stateBradley Woodrum2011-10-29T16:24:54-05:002011-10-29T16:24:54-05:00Illinois Fighting Illini, Penn State Nittany Lions Tied 0-0 At Halftime
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<p>Do you believe it? The ugly offensive display in the <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2011/10/29/2523401/penn-state-nittany-lions-illinois-fighting-illini/in/2287432">first quarter</a> continued through the second, and now the game remains tied 0-0 in a cold, blustery game at <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2011/10/29/2522786/illinois-fighting-illini-vs-penn-state-nittany-lions-ncaa-football-big-ten-the-snow-is/in/2287432">Beaver Stadium</a>. The offenses have combined for only 9 first downs on 71 plays. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> 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.</p>
<p>Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin">Matthew McGloin</a> is 4 for 13 with only 33 passing yards. Only <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> has looked effective on the day, rushing for 74 yards on 14 carries. The Illinois passers -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134624/reilly-o-toole">Reilly O'Toole</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75932/nathan-scheelhaase">Nathan Scheelhaase</a> -- have combined for a 6 for 10 and a pathetic 22 yards.</p>
<p>It looked as if the Illini would close the first half with a 3-0 lead when a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114107/rob-bolden">Rob Bolden</a> 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113712/tim-russell">Tim Russell</a> led to a late interception and yet another failed scoring opportunity.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2011/10/29/2523502/illinois-fighting-illini-penn-state-nittany-lions-score-halftimeBradley Woodrum2011-10-29T15:28:39-05:002011-10-29T15:28:39-05:00Penn State and Illinois Remain Scoreless Through First Quarter
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<p>While the snow falling from the sky may have been a thing of beauty, the opening quarter between Illinois and Penn State certainly wasn't. If you are a fan of offensive football, the first quarter certainly wasn't for you, as Illinois managed to accumulate -5 yards of offense over the first 15 minutes. Penn State certainly wasn't an offensive juggernaut, with the Nittany Lions gaining 63 yards.</p>
<p>Illinois starting QB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75932/nathan-scheelhaase">Nathan Scheelhaase</a> couldn't get anything going in the opening quarter, throwing for -8 yards and rushing for -12. Senior RB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48215/jason-ford">Jason Ford</a> was able to find some success on the ground, rushing for 16 yards on five carries in the opening quarter.</p>
<p>Penn State continues to receive consistent production from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a>, with the sophomore running back gaining 32 yards on eight carries. With the weather making it difficult for either quarterback to find much of a rhythm, it seems that Redd will be the focal point of the offense.</p>
<p><i><b>Be sure to visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/">Black Shoe Diaries</a> for the latest Penn State news and notes. For all of your University of Illinois needs, pay a visit to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hailtotheorange.com/">Hail to the Orange</a>. </b></i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2011/10/29/2523401/penn-state-nittany-lions-illinois-fighting-illiniMax Mandel2011-10-29T10:19:35-05:002011-10-29T10:19:35-05:00Illinois Fighting Illini Vs. Penn State Nittany Lions: Snow Is Already Falling For The Big Ten Showdown
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<p>Snow was expected in the forecast for Saturday afternoon's Big Ten game between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> and the Penn State Nittany Lions, and so far mother nature has not disappointed. It should be quite a scene, as students have planned <a href="http://live.psu.edu/story/34917" target="_blank">their own white out</a> for the prime time game at Beaver Stadium as well. For a quick look at the stadium, <a href="http://twitpic.com/77m70s">Ed Bond of the Illini Sports Network WDWS provides the following photo via Twitter</a>:</p>
<p><a title="@illinifootball Great weather at Beaver Stadium on Twitpic" href="http://twitpic.com/77m70s"><img alt="@illinifootball Great weather at Beaver Stadium on Twitpic" height="300" width="300" src="http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/77m70s.jpg"></a></p>
<p>If this looks bad, the conditions are only supposed to worsen all the way up to the afternoon kickoff. Blizzard conditions are expected, and it's hard to say whether it gives either team a distinct advantage. However, if you like to watch football played in the snow, this will be the game to watch on Saturday. </p>
<p><b style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on Saturday's match-up, check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.hailtotheorange.com/">Hail to the Orange</a>, SB Nation's Illinois blog, and<a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/"> Black Shoe Diaries</a>, SB Nation's Penn State blog.</i></b></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2011/10/29/2522786/illinois-fighting-illini-vs-penn-state-nittany-lions-ncaa-football-big-ten-the-snow-isSteve von Horn