SB Nation Philly - Penn State crushes Illinois 35-7 In Big Ten Openerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48987/philly-fave.png2012-10-01T12:55:43-04:00http://philly.sbnation.com/rss/stream/31754912012-10-01T12:55:43-04:002012-10-01T12:55:43-04:00Michael Mauti wins Big Ten defensive POW
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<p>Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after he recorded six tackles, two interceptions and forced a fumble in a 35-7 win over Illinois. </p> <p> </p>
<p>Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37469/michael-mauti" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Mauti</a> was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/10/1/3437444/michael-mauti-penn-state-big-ten-defense">named the Big Ten Defensive Player of Week</a> after his dominating performance against Illinois. Mauti had already <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/9/30/3432324/mauti-named-walter-camp-defensive-player-of-the-week">been named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week</a> on Sunday.</p>
<p>Mauti had six tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and half a sack in the Nittany Lions' 35-7 victory over the Illini on Saturday. Mauti returned the two interceptions a combined 105 yards.</p>
<p>This is the second time this season that the Penn State linebacker has received the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week honor, after he earned it two weeks ago with a 12-tackle performance against Navy.</p>
<p>The senior linebacker has been one of the Big Ten's top defensive players all season, leading the conference in forced fumbles (two) as well as ranking fourth in both tackles (48) and interceptions (two).</p>
<p>Penn State is now 3-2 after the victory over Illinois. The Nittany Lions will host the 5-0 No. 24 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/northwestern-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Northwestern Wildcats</a>noon ET Saturday.</p>
<p><i>This story originally appeared at </i><a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/10/1/3438076/michael-mauti-penn-state-big-ten-awards" target="_blank">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/10/1/3438216/michael-mauti-penn-state-big-tenSB Nation College News2012-09-30T11:42:32-04:002012-09-30T11:42:32-04:00Penn State blog reactions to Illinois game
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<figcaption>Bradley Leeb-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Penn State earned its first Big Ten victory of the 2012 season on Saturday against Illinois. SB Nation's Penn State community reacts.</p> <p>Yesterday, Penn State notched a convincing and somewhat surprising 35-7 victory over the Fighting Illini of Illinois, the first Big Ten win for Penn State since the death of Joe Paterno. In the wake of the victory, the folks at Black Shoe Diaries, SB Nation's Penn State blog, had a few choice words for Illini head coach Tim Beckman. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fgameon%2F2012%2F09%2F26%2Fillinois-tim-beckman-no-regrets-penn-state-recruit%2F1594331%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fphilly.sbnation.com%2Fpenn-st-nittany-lions%2F2012%2F9%2F30%2F3432384%2Fillinois-penn-state-2012-reaction" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Beckman actively recruited Nittany Lions players</a> to leave the program for Illinois after the NCAA levied sanctions against the program this summer.</p>
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<p>Well, I guess now we know why Tim Beckman was so eager to vulture Penn State's roster: The guys he has just aren't very good.</p>
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<p>But wait, <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/9/30/3431794/penn-state-35-illinois-7-bill-obrien-tim-beckman" target="_blank">there's more</a>!</p>
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<p>You're a loser, Beckman. And if abandoning your team to chase Penn Staters didn't prove it, then the blowout loss on Saturday surely did. You inherited four NFL players on defense - Spence, Buchanan, Brown, and Hawthorne - and your defense sucks. You've made your quarterback worse. You barely use the really good running back you have. And Brian Griese makes fun of your coaching decisions from the announcers booth. You're a mouth breathing stooge, Beckman. May God have mercy on your soul.</p>
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<p>Suffice to say that Nittany Lions fans do not particularly like Tim Beckman all that much.</p>
<p>Regarding the game itself, and the way forward for this team, Penn State fans are generally optimistic.</p>
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<p>And you know what? Maybe that's a good thing. Given the way Penn State's rolled the last three weeks, the weakness of the Big Ten, and, yes, the fact remains that the Lions should be 5-0 and on the road to something incredibly special rather than just 3-2, it's not hard to get ahead of ourselves. Ted Roof's defense has made unbelievable strides since its horrendous start...and now they've got a running back! But there were enough faults to give Bill O'Brien and crew a headache, and this team will have plenty to build on moving forward.</p>
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<p>As tough as it may be to be a Penn State Nittany Lions fan in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, the folks at Black Shoe Diaries are definitely focusing on the positives and looking forward to the future of their program.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/9/30/3432384/illinois-penn-state-2012-reactionBob Lynch2012-09-29T16:11:28-04:002012-09-29T16:11:28-04:00Matt McGloin Leads PSU over Illinois 35-7
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<p>The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> easily on Saturday, winning the game by a final score of 35-7. Illinois was sloppy all game, and Penn State repeatedly took advantage of their mistakes. Penn State improves to 3-2 with the win, while Illinois drops to 2-3.</p>
<p>Illinois would get off on the wrong foot almost as soon as the game got underway. After forcing the Nittany Lions to punt, they fumbled and gave the ball right back to Penn State deep in their own territory. They held the visitors to a field goal after that mistake, but a running into the kicker penalty wiped the field goal off the board and put Penn State inside the five yard line. They took advantage, as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak">Zach Zwinak</a> put PSU up by seven.</p>
<p>Illinois would continue to help their opponents with silly penalties when the Nittany Lions scored another two touchdowns to push the lead to 21-0. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113689/earnest-thomas">Earnest Thomas</a> was ejected in the second quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit following the third touchdown, so Illinois had to go without him for the remainder of the game.</p>
<p>The second half would see Illinois get on the board with a touchdown in their first possession, but it was all Penn State from that point forward. The Nittany Lions immediately responded after the score and pushed the lead to 28-7, and they scored again very early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.</p>
<p><b>Box Score Hero: </b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37469/michael-mauti">Michael Mauti</a> had a pair of interceptions and 103 yards on the returns as he led a dominating Penn State defensive effort.</p>
<p><b>Rankings Ramifications: </b>This game won't have any impact on the rankings.</p>
<p><b>But Did They Cover? </b>Illinois was favored by a field goal, so they failed to cover the spread. The over/under was set at 41.5 points, so those taking the over can smile.</p>
<p><b>For More On This Game: </b>For more on Illini football, visit <a href="http://hailtotheorange.com">Illinois blog Hail To The Orange</a>. For more on Nittany Lions football, visit <a href="http://blackshoediaries.com">Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries</a>, plus <a href="http://offtackleempire.com">Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire</a>.</p>
<p><b>Next Week's Schedule: </b>The Nittany Lions will be at home to face Northwestern. That game will kick off at 12 p.m. ET on Oct 6. The Fighting Illini will also be in action Oct 6, heading north to face Wisconsin. That game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.</p>
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https://philly.sbnation.com/2012/9/29/3429294/penn-state-vs-illinois-final-score-recapStephen Schmidt2012-09-29T14:53:48-04:002012-09-29T14:53:48-04:00Penn St. leads Illinois 28-7 after three quarters
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/penn-st-nittany-lions">Penn St. Nittany Lions</a> lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini">Illinois Fighting Illini</a>, 28-7, after three quarters of play.</p>
<p>Illinois put points on the board with 10:22 left to play in the third quarter, when running back Josh Ferguson threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113707/spencer-harris">Spencer Harris</a>, cutting Penn St.'s lead to 21-7.</p>
<p>The Nittany Lions responded with a touchdown of their own with 3:15 to play in the third quarter. Penn St. quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin">Matthew McGloin</a> capped off an eight play, 57-yard drive with his second rushing touchdown of the day, on a quarterback sneak play.</p>
<p>Penn St.'s defense is still dominating play, despite giving up a touchdown to Illinois. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37469/michael-mauti">Michael Mauti</a> intercepted his second pass of the day, picking off an errant throw by Illinois quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75932/nathan-scheelhaase">Nathan Scheelhaase</a>, and returning the ball to midfield. </p>
<p>The interception was Scheelhaase's second of the game, and Illinois' third turnover.</p>
<p>Penn St. will open the fourth quarter with the ball at the Illinois 31, as the Nittany Lions look to tack onto their 28-7 lead.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2012/9/29/3428842/penn-state-vs-illinois-game-score-updateJP Starkey2012-09-29T13:49:01-04:002012-09-29T13:49:01-04:00Penn. St leads Illinois 21-0 at the half
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/penn-st-nittany-lions" class="sbn-auto-link">Penn St. Nittany Lions</a> are well on their way to a third consecutive victory. Led by a dominating defensive effort, the Nittany Lions lead the Fighting Illini, 21-0 at halftime.</p>
<p>Penn St. added to their 14-0 lead with 3:22 left to go in the second quarter, when <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin" class="sbn-auto-link">Matthew McGloin</a> threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159742/matt-lehman" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt Lehman</a>.</p>
<p>Illinois safety <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113689/earnest-thomas" class="sbn-auto-link">Earnest Thomas</a> was ejected on the touchdown play. Thomas initiated helmet-to-helmet contact with Lehman, after Lehman already crossed the goal line.</p>
<p>Illinois quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75932/nathan-scheelhaase" class="sbn-auto-link">Nathan Scheelhaase</a> threw an interception on 4th-and-goal, as the Fighting Illini passed up a field goal attempt, with 19 seconds left in the first half. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37469/michael-mauti" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Mauti</a> intercepted the pass, and returned it 98 yards, all the way to Illinois' one-yard line, with just one second left on the clock.</p>
<p>Penn St. head coach <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Bill O'Brien</a> opted to attempt a field goal to end the half, but <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141952/sam-ficken" class="sbn-auto-link">Sam Ficken's</a> kick was blocked. Ficken also missed a 47-yard field goal earlier in the escond quarter.</p>
<p>The Fighting Illini have been called for six penalties, totaling 54 yards. The Nittany Lions, by comparison, have just two penalties for 17 yards through the first half of play.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak" class="sbn-auto-link">Zach Zwinak</a> leads Penn St. with 49 rushing yards on 10 carries – including a touchdown run. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142581/bill-belton" class="sbn-auto-link">Bill Belton</a> has carried the ball 10 times for 36 yards.</p>
<p>Illinois will receive the ball to start the second half, as they look to get something going by just getting on the board.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2012/9/29/3428456/penn-state-vs-illinois-game-score-updateJP Starkey2012-09-29T12:54:18-04:002012-09-29T12:54:18-04:00Penn St. leads 14-0 after the first quarter
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<p>So far, so good for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/penn-st-nittany-lions" class="sbn-auto-link">Penn St. Nittany Lions</a>. Penn St. currently leads Illinois, 14-0, after the first quarter of play.</p>
<p>The Nittany Lions got the scoring underway early in the first quarter. Penn St.'s first offensive possession resulted in a three-and-out, but Illinois return man <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37185/tommy-davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Tommy Davis</a> fumbled the punt, giving Penn St. the ball at the Illinois 26-yard line.</p>
<p>Penn St. received another break on that drive. On 4th-and-3 from the Illinois 7-yard line, an Illinois defender ran into the kicker, setting up the Nittany Lions with 1st-and-goal. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak" class="sbn-auto-link">Zach Zwinak</a> punched it in for Penn St., giving the Nittany Lions an early 7-0 lead.</p>
<p>Bill O'Brien's defensive unit forced a quick three-and-out for Illinois, helping to carry over the momentum from the Nittany Lions' first touchdown.</p>
<p><b></b>Penn St. added another touchdown on their next possession, marching down the field for an eight play, 60 yard touchdown drive, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin" class="sbn-auto-link">Matthew McGloin</a> on a quarterback sneak.</p>
<p>Illinois threatened to add points late in the first quarter, after a 52-yard run from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134625/donovonn-young" class="sbn-auto-link">Donovonn Young</a> that brought the ball to Penn St.'s 11 yard line. Illinois' drive stalled, however, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134634/taylor-zalewski" class="sbn-auto-link">Taylor Zalewski</a> missed a 26-yard field goal.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2012/9/29/3428144/penn-state-vs-illinois-game-score-updateJP Starkey2012-09-29T08:03:23-04:002012-09-29T08:03:23-04:00Penn State goes for three straight at Illinois
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<figcaption>Rob Carr - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Penn State and Illinois kick off their conference schedules on Saturday.</p> <p>The Penn State Nittany Lions will open up their Big Ten schedule when they travel to Champaign, Ill., to face the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini" class="sbn-auto-link">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> on Saturday afternoon.</p>
<p>PSU has recovered from an 0-2 start to win its last two games over Navy and Temple. Quarterback Matt McGloin completed 24-of-36 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown against the Owls last Saturday. It was McGloin's third 300-yard passing performance of his career, tying him for second on Penn State's all-time list.</p>
<p>Illinois is also at 2-2, and suffered a bad non-conference loss at home to Louisiana Tech last Saturday. La. Tech pummeled the Illini, 52-24. Illinois lost five fumbles and threw an interception in the loss.</p>
<p>The two teams met in University Park last season, with Penn State coming away with a narrow, 10-7 victory. The Nittany Lions will be looking to duplicate that result on the road and get conference play started off on the right foot.</p>
<p><b>Game time, TV channel:</b> Noon ET, ESPN/ESPN2</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/odds">Point spread</a>:</b> Penn State favored by 1.</p>
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https://philly.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/9/29/3424858/illinois-penn-state-2012-schedule-game-time-spreadCraig Powers2012-09-27T08:36:46-04:002012-09-27T08:36:46-04:00Bill O'Brien Dodges Illinois Recruiting Questions
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<figcaption>Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Bill O'Brien declined to discuss how he feels about the fact that Illinois' Tim Beckman tried to convince players to leave Penn State's program over the summer.</p> <p>Penn State's head coach <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Bill O'Brien</a> opted to avoid the topic of how Illinois' coaching staff openly recruited players from his program over the summer when directly asked in his Monday press conference.</p>
<p>When sanctions came down allowing Penn State players to transfer freely in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, some coaches opted to try to actively entice Nittany Lions players to come to their school right away. While most of the Big Ten backed off, Tim Beckman and his staff chose to pursue Penn State players,<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/8/2/3215634/penn-state-transfers-ryan-nowicki-illinois-football"> landing freshman offensive tackle Ryan Nowicki for his efforts.</a> When asked about his feelings on Beckman's moves, O'Brien dodged the question:</p>
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<p>Q. As vocal as some of your leaders were about the whole Illinois recruiting thing here, is it realistic to expect for that not to be a motivating factor as they prepare for this game?<br><br>COACH O'BRIEN: I certainly understand the question. I do. But at the same time, the biggest thing is that this is our first Big 10 game. Our players are very focused on the Big 10 schedule. I believe that our players are really focused this week on building on what they did well in the Temple game and improving in areas where we really need to improve as it relates to the Temple game. They're not concerned with anything other than playing a tough road game in Champaign against a good Illinois team. The motivation is it's our first Big 10 game on the road. I just found out we've been in the Big 10 twenty years, and I think 12 times we've played on the road. I would like for someday that to even out and maybe get a home game here at Beaver Stadium to open the Big 10 road season. It's going to be a great environment in Illinois, and that's what the players are focused on.<br><br>Q. I know it's belaboring it a little bit, three questions, but a lot of teams recruited your players; Illinois appeared to be the only Big 10 school that recruited your players. Does that bother you at all?<br><br>COACH O'BRIEN: It takes a lot to bother me, so I would tell you that, again, our players, myself, our staff, we're very focused on the task at hand, which is practice today, first and second down practice, punt team, punt return team PAT field goal, PAT field goal block. Tomorrow third down, more special teams. Thursday, red area. Friday, walk‑through. Get on a plane, go to Illinois, and hopefully we're prepared to play a great Illinois team. That's what our focus is.</p>
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<p>Discussing PAT blocking drills is just about as non-confrontational as one can be. Beckman <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/illinois-fighting-illini/2012/9/25/3405042/illinois-penn-state-ryan-nowicki">said he doesn't regret his decision</a> when discussing his new lineman, who has yet to play at Illinois.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2012/9/27/3416672/penn-state-illinois-bill-obrien-tim-beckman-ryan-nowickiRodger Sherman