Manny Diaz’s Penn State defense enforced a strict “no-fly” for any Illinois ball in the sky.
But Penn State’s offense often failed to rise to the occasion against a gritty Illinois defense.
Drew Allar struggled compared to his first two starts, throwing career high 17 incompletions while not throwing a single touchdown. But Allar didn’t turn the ball over, either, and Illinois did.
Penn State won the turnover battle 5-0 with four of those being interceptions.
Here’s how Twitter, now known as X, reacted to Allar’s performance, an impressive defensive outing and more from Penn State’s 30-13 win at Illinois.
Quick reminder that while Penn State did struggle today at Illinois offensively, #3 Florida State is currently in a dog fight with Boston College. Survive and advance my friends.
— TK 🦁 (@PSU_TK) September 16, 2023
Penn State might have the best secondary in the nation.
Cam Miller joins the party as Penn State has forced five turnovers through three quarters
— Alex Rocco (@AlexRocco13_) September 16, 2023
Penn State was absolutely disinterested in playing this game (at least offensively) for 2.5 quarters and were still up 30-7. Lots of stuff to fix, but we move. It’s officially whiteout week. https://t.co/XAqlNOHkEA
— Alex Klucher (@AlexKlucher) September 16, 2023
A wins a win. #WeAre https://t.co/kUaWQTheaq
— Chris Long (@LongSwimmer1) September 16, 2023
Illinois learned the power of turnovers today. Dead even with Penn State in the counting stats, but minus-4 in turnovers. In CFB, you lose 99% of the time when you’re minus-3 or worse. https://t.co/wf3QgmWukW
— Chris(to🅿️her) Larsen 🙈 🙉 🙊 (@ESPNChrisLarsen) September 16, 2023
Penn State defense carries the Nittany Lions to a win on the road https://t.co/e143l8YqWS
— StatSide College Football (@StatSideCFB) September 16, 2023
Penn State Secondary is scary 🤫😤💯
— Joey Porter Jr. (@JoeyPorterJr) September 16, 2023
Penn State last had 5 takeaways in a game in 2018 against Georgia State.
Penn State’s 4 interceptions in a game is the most since 4 against Temple in 2014.
— Penn State Football Communications (@PennStFBComms) September 16, 2023
Another drive, another punt for Penn State as Drew Allar throws another incompletion. The Nittany Lions first-year starter is now 12 of 27 for 144 yards.
— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) September 16, 2023
Count ‘em‼️
That’s 4️⃣ INT’s today for that @PennStateFball defense.#WeAre pic.twitter.com/GX0YAPup7d
— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) September 16, 2023
Penn State’s defense is going to test the blood pressure, no doubt, but is never far from flipping momentum.
— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) September 16, 2023
Defense right now pic.twitter.com/ThI1RExAOR
— Hardcore Penn State Football (@HardcorePSUFB) September 16, 2023
King Mack sees his third game of playing time in his freshman season.
— Hardcore Penn State Football (@HardcorePSUFB) September 16, 2023
I’m convinced Gus Johnson hates Penn State lol
— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) September 16, 2023
They made us sweat, but ultimately Penn State won and covered. Survive and advance. 1-0.
Onto the White Out #WeAre⚪️⚪️
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) September 16, 2023
Despite some sloppiness, Penn State takes care of Illinois and moves to 3-0. pic.twitter.com/gc2QhYEYhj
— Black Shoe Diaries (@BSDtweet) September 16, 2023
Penn State wins it 30-13. 3-0 on the year, Iowa up next in the first real big one of the year.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) September 16, 2023
Gus Johnson sounds very bored by the Penn State-Illinois game.🏈🎙️pic.twitter.com/ON55C9f0gO
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 16, 2023
