University Park, PA (Best E Casino) - A top-25 matchup takes place in Happy Valley this weekend, as the 12th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions open up Big Ten play against the 22nd-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini.
Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions completed their destruction of their non- conference opponents with last week's 45-3 whipping of Temple. The lopsided victory followed similar performances against Coastal Carolina (66-10), Oregon State (45-14) and Syracuse (55-13).
Still, Paterno doesn't like to lavish heavy praise on his team.
"You never know what to expect. I don't, really. I was just hoping we could play well enough to win a couple of games. I thought we had the potential to be a decent football team. We've been fortunate. We've played some people that haven't played really well against us, so I'm still reluctant to get too excited."
Ron Zook's Illini will clearly represent PSU's toughest opponent to date. Illinois is facing its second ranked opponent of the year. The team opened the 2008 campaign with a heart-breaking 52-42 shootout loss to sixth-ranked Missouri, but has followed up with back-to-back wins against Eastern Illinois (47-21) and UL-Lafayette (20-17). The Illini have had an extra week to prepare for the Nittany Lions, as they were idle a week ago.
This is the 16th meeting between these two teams on the gridiron, with Penn State holding a 12-3 advantage all-time, including a perfect 6-0 mark in State College. However, it was Illinois that took the last matchup, a 27-20 decision in Champaign in 2007.
The Illini bring a potent offensive arsenal into Happy Valley, as they are currently averaging over 200 yards of offense both on the ground (224.7) and through the air (244.0). In addition, the team is converting nearly 50 percent of the time on third down and has scored in 20-of-22 trips in the red zone, including 16 touchdowns (73 percent of the time).
It starts with the talented Juice Williams under center. One of the top duel threats in the nation, Williams has the ability to beat opponents with his legs (73.0 ypg) or with his arm (60 percent completion rate, seven TD passes).
Tailback Daniel Dufrene has been a force on the ground as well. The 5-11 junior has yet to find the end zone, but he is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and an even 100 yards per game. There isn't a true go-to-guy in the receiving corps, but rather Williams likes to spread the ball around, with Arrelious Benn (15 receptions, for 150 yards), Michael Hoomanawanui (10 receptions, for 146 yards), Will Judson (seven receptions, two TDs) and Chris Duvalt (five receptions, three TDs) all making plays downfield.
The Illinois defense is a reason for concern this week, as Penn State represents one of the most explosive offenses in the country. The Illini have struggled on this side of the football, although a lot of the negative stats can be attributed to the 52-points hung one them by Missouri in the opener.
The rush defense has been the weak link thus far, allowing 163.0 ypg, on 4.5 ypc. It will be up to veterans like senior LB Brit Miller to shore things up this week. Miller currently leads Illinois in tackles (36) and TFLs (6.0), while also recording one sack, one INT and one fumble recovery. Sophomore Martez Wilson (26 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks) is another strong performer in the middle of the defense. Senior end Will Davis (11 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, two sacks) will be called upon to provide some kind of pass rush.
One of the nation's premier offenses in the first month of the season resides in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions have been almost unstoppable, averaging a whopping 52.8 ppg (third nationally), 274.2 yards rushing (eighth nationally) and 264.2 yards passing, resulting in 538.5 yards of total offense (sixth nationally).
The play of Daryll Clark under center has certainly benefited this team. Clark is delivering on 61.5 percent of his passes thus far, for 715 yards, with seven TDs and just one INT. He has plenty of talented wideouts to seek out down the field, highlighted by standouts Jordan Norwood (18 receptions, for 318 yards, four TDs), Deon Butler (14 receptions, for 229 yards, two TDs) and Derrick Williams (eight receptions, for 113 yards).
Still, this is Penn State and you have to know that the Nitts would prefer to run the ball down your throat. That is exactly what tailback Evan Royster has done thus far, averaging a robust 8.1 yards per carry, rushing for 379 yards and seven TDs to date.
The offensive line has certainly done its job as well, paving a way for 6.5 yards per carry this season, while allowing a mere three sacks in the first four games.
Defensively, the Nittany Lions have not really been challenged. The team has done a marvelous job getting upfield and has already recorded 14 sacks on the season. The remarkable part about that is that standout Maurice Evans has not been in the lineup for three of the four games and it is not known if or when he will return. Aaron Maybin has stepped up in Evans' absence and has been a real force off the edge, with seven TFLs and six sacks thus far, including two QB takedowns against Temple.
Linebacker Navorro Bowman (team-high 35 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) and rush end Josh Gaines (17 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) have also made their presence felt. Bowman was particularly impressive in the win over Temple, his first career-start, recording 11 tackles, three sacks, five TFLs, forced a fumble and picked off a pass, earning All-Big Ten Defensive honors for his effort.
Paterno likes the progress made by both Maybin and Bowman.
"They are both good. They make some mistakes, obviously. You wouldn't see the bad things. You see the good things. But I think they both played well (vs. Temple). They're getting better each week. They're both good athletes, and they like to play and they hustle. They have a chance to be really good."
