Referee John O’Neill; umpire Brad Hudak; head linesman Jeff Szink; line judge Brett Bergman; side judge John Roggeman; field judge Phil Hicks; back judge Dennis Morris; center judge Mike StumbergGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse
Scoring by quarter
Team
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Final
Illinois
21
0
0
0
21
Penn State
21
21
7
7
56
Standouts
No. 14PassingSean Clifford16 of 22, 285 yards, 2 TDPenn State
No. 26RushingCaziah Holmes12 carries, 77 yards, 2 TDPenn State
From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.
Team stats
Illinois
Penn State
273
Total yards
580
120
Passing yards
327
153
Rushing yards
253
5.5
Yards per pass
12.1
4.0
Yards per rush
4.8
12
First downs
28
4–15
Third downs
4–12
0–1
Fourth downs
3–3
2
Turnovers
1
1–15
Penalties
2–19
25:10
Possession
34:50
5
Sacks (by defense)
3
Efficiency
Illinois
Penn State
30%
Success rate
59%
−0.08
EPA per play
0.44
1.41
Explosiveness
1.06
0.04
Rushing EPA
0.33
−0.26
Passing EPA
0.60
14%
Passing-down success
39%
0.21
First-down EPA
0.30
−0.37
Second-down EPA
0.49
0.03
Third-down EPA
0.25
11%
Havoc by its defense
22%
From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.
Before kickoff
Our ratings and the line, going in
Our ratings (scores only)
Penn State 79% to win. Elo’s favorite won.
The line
Penn State −16, over/under 52.5.
The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.
Before kickoff, the win chances were Penn State 87%, Illinois 13%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.
Every drive
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Penn State drives left to right, Illinois right to left.
Q1 Penn StateTouchdown, 1 play, 75 yards
Q1 IllinoisInterception, 6 plays, 44 yards
Q1 Penn StateFumble, 1 play, 10 yards
Q1 IllinoisTouchdown, 4 plays, 16 yards
Q1 Penn StateTouchdown, 0 yards
Q1 IllinoisTouchdown, 3 plays, 75 yards
Q1 Penn StatePunt, 3 plays, −4 yards
Q1 IllinoisTouchdown, 4 plays, 63 yards
Q1 Penn StateTouchdown, 10 plays, 75 yards
Q1 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
Q2 Penn StateTouchdown, 2 plays, 10 yards
Q2 IllinoisPunt, 4 plays, 23 yards
Q2 Penn StateTouchdown, 15 plays, 91 yards
Q2 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
Q2 Penn StateTouchdown, 1 play, 70 yards
Q2 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
Q2 Penn StateMissed FG, 11 plays, 60 yards
Q3 IllinoisPunt, 6 plays, 8 yards
Q3 Penn StatePunt, 3 plays, −3 yards
Q3 IllinoisFumble, 7 plays, 6 yards
Q3 Penn StatePunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
Q3 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
Q3 Penn StateTouchdown, 9 plays, 68 yards
Q3 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
Q4 Penn StatePunt, 3 plays, −16 yards
Q4 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 0 yards
Q4 Penn StatePunt, 5 plays, 18 yards
Q4 IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
Q4 Penn StateTouchdown, 10 plays, 79 yards
Q4 IllinoisPunt, 5 plays, 14 yards
Q4 Penn StateEnd of game, 4 plays, 42 yards
Play by play
1st quarter8 drives, then Tied at 21
Penn State Touchdown, 1 play
15:00
1st & 10 at own 35
James McCourt kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:48
1st & 10 at own 25
Sean Clifford pass complete to Jahan Dotson for 75 yds for a TD ( KICK)Penn State 7, Illinois 0
Illinois Interception, 6 plays
14:48
1st & 0 at own 35
Jordan Stout kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:48
1st & 10 at own 25
Isaiah Williams pass complete to Chase Brown for 33 yds to the PnSt 42 for a 1ST down
14:48
1st & 10 at opp 42
Isaiah Williams pass incomplete, broken up by Keaton Ellis
14:48
2nd & 10 at opp 42
Mike Epstein run for 2 yds to the PnSt 40
14:48
3rd & 8 at opp 40
Isaiah Williams run for 9 yds to the PnSt 31 for a 1ST down
14:48
1st & 10 at opp 31
Mike Epstein run for no gain to the PnSt 31
14:48
2nd & 10 at opp 31
Isaiah Williams pass intercepted return for no gain to the PnSt 6
12:52
1st & 10 at own 6
Sean Clifford run for 10 yds to the PnSt 16 Sean Clifford fumbled, forced by Devon Witherspoon, recovered by Illin Devon Witherspoon
Illinois Touchdown, 4 plays
12:42
1st & 10 at opp 16
Chase Brown run for no gain to the PnSt 16
12:42
2nd & 10 at opp 16
Isaiah Williams run for 8 yds to the PnSt 8
12:42
3rd & 2 at opp 8
Chase Brown run for 3 yds to the PnSt 5 for a 1ST down
11:06
1st & goal at opp 5
Isaiah Williams pass complete to Brian Hightower for 5 yds for a TD ( KICK)Tied at 7
10:51
1st & 0 at own 35
James McCourt kickoff for 65 yds , return for 100 yds for a TD ( KICK)Penn State 14, Illinois 7
Illinois Touchdown, 3 plays
10:51
1st & 0 at own 35
Jordan Stout kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:51
1st & 10 at own 25
Isaiah Williams run for 64 yds to the PnSt 11 for a 1ST down
10:51
1st & 10 at opp 11
Chase Brown run for a loss of 1 yard to the PnSt 12
9:50
2nd & 11 at opp 12
Chase Brown run for 12 yds for a TD ( KICK)Tied at 14
Penn State Punt, 3 plays
9:50
1st & 0 at own 35
James McCourt kickoff for 64 yds , return for 25 yds to the PnSt 26
9:44
1st & 10 at own 26
Sean Clifford pass complete to Jahan Dotson for 6 yds to the PnSt 32
9:44
2nd & 4 at own 32
Sean Clifford pass complete to Keyvone Lee for a loss of 3 yards to the PnSt 29
9:44
3rd & 7 at own 29
Sean Clifford sacked by Jake Hansen for a loss of 7 yards to the PnSt 22
9:44
4th & 14 at own 22
Jordan Stout punt for 45 yds , Carlos Sandy returns for 4 yds to the Illin 37
Illinois Touchdown, 4 plays
7:47
1st & 10 at own 37
Isaiah Williams pass complete to Daniel Barker for 12 yds to the Illin 49 for a 1ST down
7:47
1st & 10 at own 49
Isaiah Williams run for 5 yds to the PnSt 46
7:47
2nd & 5 at opp 46
Isaiah Williams run for 8 yds to the PnSt 38 for a 1ST down
6:10
1st & 10 at opp 38
Isaiah Williams pass complete to Daniel Barker for 38 yds for a TD ( KICK)Illinois 21, Penn State 14
Penn State Touchdown, 10 plays
6:10
1st & 0 at own 35
James McCourt kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
6:10
1st & 10 at own 25
Keyvone Lee run for 3 yds to the PnSt 28
6:10
2nd & 7 at own 28
Keyvone Lee run for 9 yds to the PnSt 37 for a 1ST down
6:10
1st & 10 at own 37
Sean Clifford run for 10 yds to the PnSt 47 for a 1ST down
6:10
1st & 10 at own 47
Will Levis pass complete to Theo Johnson for 23 yds to the Illin 30 for a 1ST down
6:10
1st & 10 at opp 30
Keyvone Lee run for 4 yds to the Illin 26
6:10
2nd & 6 at opp 26
Keyvone Lee run for 15 yds to the Illin 11 for a 1ST down
6:10
1st & 10 at opp 11
Keyvone Lee run for 2 yds to the Illin 9
6:10
2nd & 8 at opp 9
Will Levis run for 4 yds to the Illin 5
6:10
3rd & 4 at opp 5
Will Levis run for 1 yd to the Illin 4
1:13
4th & 3 at opp 4
Will Levis run for 4 yds for a TD ( KICK)Tied at 21
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
1:13
1st & 0 at own 35
Jordan Stout kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
1:13
1st & 10 at own 25
Isaiah Williams pass incomplete
1:13
2nd & 10 at own 25
Chase Brown run for 5 yds to the Illin 30
1:13
3rd & 5 at own 30
Isaiah Williams sacked by Shaka Toney for a loss of 4 yards to the Illin 26
Q2 15:00
4th & 9 at own 26
Blake Hayes punt for 34 yds , returns for 50 yds to the Illin 10
2nd quarter7 drives, then Penn State 42, Illinois 21
Penn State Touchdown, 2 plays
14:44
1st & goal at opp 10
Caziah Holmes run for 7 yds to the Illin 3
14:04
2nd & goal at opp 3
Caziah Holmes run for 3 yds for a TD ( KICK)Penn State 28, Illinois 21
Illinois Punt, 4 plays
14:04
1st & 0 at own 35
Jordan Stout kickoff for 65 yds
14:04
1st & 10 at own 25
Isaiah Williams pass complete to Dalevon Campbell for 24 yds to the Illin 49 for a 1ST down
14:04
1st & 10 at own 49
Mike Epstein run for 2 yds to the PnSt 49
14:04
2nd & 8 at opp 49
Mike Epstein run for a loss of 3 yards to the Illin 48
14:04
3rd & 11 at own 48
Isaiah Williams pass incomplete to Daniel Barker, broken up by Daequan Hardy
14:04
4th & 11 at own 48
Blake Hayes punt for 43 yds, fair catch by Jahan Dotson at the PnSt 9
Penn State Touchdown, 15 plays
12:20
1st & 10 at own 9
Keyvone Lee run for no gain to the PnSt 9
12:20
2nd & 10 at own 9
Sean Clifford pass complete to Theo Johnson for 19 yds to the PnSt 28 for a 1ST down
12:20
1st & 10 at own 28
Keyvone Lee run for no gain to the PnSt 28
12:20
2nd & 10 at own 28
Sean Clifford pass complete to Jahan Dotson for 24 yds to the Illin 48 for a 1ST down
12:20
1st & 10 at opp 48
Sean Clifford pass incomplete
12:20
2nd & 10 at opp 48
Sean Clifford run for no gain to the Illin 48
12:20
3rd & 10 at opp 48
Sean Clifford run for 9 yds to the Illin 39
12:20
4th & 1 at opp 39
Will Levis run for 2 yds to the Illin 37 for a 1ST down
12:20
1st & 10 at opp 37
Keyvone Lee run for 12 yds to the Illin 25 for a 1ST down
12:20
1st & 10 at opp 25
Keyvone Lee run for 1 yd to the Illin 24
12:20
2nd & 9 at opp 24
Sean Clifford pass complete to Jahan Dotson for 8 yds to the Illin 16
12:20
3rd & 1 at opp 16
Keyvone Lee run for 2 yds to the Illin 14 for a 1ST down
12:20
1st & 10 at opp 14
Keyvone Lee run for 8 yds to the Illin 6
12:20
2nd & 2 at opp 6
Keyvone Lee run for 5 yds to the Illin 1 for a 1ST down
5:32
1st & goal at opp 1
Keyvone Lee run for 1 yd for a TD ( KICK)Penn State 35, Illinois 21
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
5:32
1st & 0 at own 35
Jordan Stout kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback PENN ST Penalty, offside defense (-5 Yards)
5:32
1st & 10 at own 30
Chase Brown run for 1 yd to the Illin 31
5:32
2nd & 9 at own 31
Isaiah Williams pass incomplete
5:32
3rd & 9 at own 31
Isaiah Williams pass complete to Chase Brown for 1 yd to the Illin 32
5:32
4th & 8 at own 32
Blake Hayes punt for 38 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the PnSt 30
Penn State Touchdown, 1 play
3:49
1st & 10 at own 30
Sean Clifford pass complete to Jahan Dotson for 70 yds for a TD ( KICK)Penn State 42, Illinois 21
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
3:49
1st & 0 at own 35
Jordan Stout kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
3:49
1st & 10 at own 25
Mike Epstein run for no gain to the Illin 25
3:49
2nd & 10 at own 25
Isaiah Williams run for 5 yds to the Illin 30
3:49
3rd & 5 at own 30
Isaiah Williams pass incomplete to Dalevon Campbell
3:49
4th & 5 at own 30
Blake Hayes punt for 47 yds, fair catch by Jahan Dotson at the PnSt 23
Penn State Missed FG, 11 plays
2:19
1st & 10 at own 23
Sean Clifford pass complete to Brenton Strange for 7 yds to the PnSt 30
2:19
2nd & 3 at own 30
Sean Clifford pass complete to Parker Washington for 16 yds to the PnSt 46 for a 1ST down
2:19
1st & 10 at own 46
Caziah Holmes run for 2 yds to the PnSt 48
2:19
2nd & 8 at own 48
Sean Clifford pass complete to Caziah Holmes for 7 yds to the Illin 45
2:19
3rd & 1 at opp 45
Sean Clifford pass complete to KeAndre Lambert-Smith for 11 yds to the Illin 34 for a 1ST down
2:19
1st & 10 at opp 34
Sean Clifford sacked by Isaiah Gay for a loss of 5 yards to the Illin 39
0:32
2nd & 15 at opp 39
Timeout PENN ST, clock 00:32
0:32
2nd & 15 at opp 39
Sean Clifford pass complete to Brenton Strange for 8 yds to the Illin 31
0:32
3rd & 7 at opp 31
Sean Clifford pass complete to Cam Sullivan-Brown for 14 yds to the Illin 17 for a 1ST down
0:32
1st & 10 at opp 17
Sean Clifford pass incomplete
0:32
2nd & 10 at opp 17
Sean Clifford pass incomplete to Theo Johnson
3rd quarter7 drives, then Penn State 49, Illinois 21
Illinois Punt, 6 plays
15:00
1st & 10 at own 35
Jordan Stout kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:00
1st & 10 at own 25
Isaiah Williams run for 3 yds to the Illin 28
15:00
2nd & 7 at own 28
Isaiah Williams run for 6 yds to the Illin 34
15:00
3rd & 1 at own 34
Chase Brown run for 3 yds to the Illin 37 for a 1ST down
15:00
1st & 10 at own 37
Isaiah Williams pass incomplete to Daniel Imatorbhebhe
15:00
2nd & 10 at own 37
Chase Brown run for 2 yds to the Illin 39
15:00
3rd & 8 at own 39
Isaiah Williams sacked by PJ Mustipher for a loss of 6 yards to the Illin 33
15:00
4th & 14 at own 33
Blake Hayes punt for 55 yds, downed at the PnSt 12
Penn State Punt, 3 plays
12:09
1st & 10 at own 12
Sean Clifford pass incomplete to KeAndre Lambert-Smith, broken up by Jartavius Martin
12:09
2nd & 10 at own 12
Caziah Holmes run for 3 yds to the PnSt 15
12:09
3rd & 7 at own 15
Sean Clifford sacked by Milo Eifler for a loss of 6 yards to the PnSt 9
12:09
4th & 13 at own 9
Jordan Stout punt for 36 yds, fair catch by Carlos Sandy at the PnSt 45
Illinois Fumble, 7 plays
10:44
1st & 10 at opp 45
Mike Epstein run for 6 yds to the PnSt 39
10:44
2nd & 4 at opp 39
Chase Brown run for a loss of 1 yard to the PnSt 40
10:44
3rd & 5 at opp 40
Isaiah Williams run for 7 yds to the PnSt 33 for a 1ST down
10:44
1st & 10 at opp 33
Isaiah Williams run for a loss of 4 yards to the PnSt 37
10:44
2nd & 14 at opp 37
Isaiah Williams pass complete to Daniel Barker for 4 yds to the PnSt 33
10:44
3rd & 10 at opp 33
Isaiah Williams pass incomplete to Casey Washington, broken up by Ellis Brooks
10:44
4th & 10 at opp 33
Isaiah Williams sacked by Antonio Shelton for a loss of 6 yards to the PnSt 39 Isaiah Williams fumbled, recovered by PnSt Brandon Smith , return for 0 yards
Penn State Punt, 3 plays
7:40
1st & 10 at own 39
Keyvone Lee run for 4 yds to the PnSt 43
7:04
2nd & 6 at own 43
Timeout ILLINOIS, clock 07:04
7:04
2nd & 6 at own 43
Keyvone Lee run for 2 yds to the PnSt 45
7:04
3rd & 4 at own 45
Sean Clifford pass incomplete to Jahan Dotson
7:04
4th & 4 at own 45
Jordan Stout punt for 44 yds, fair catch by Carlos Sandy at the Illin 11
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
6:13
1st & 10 at own 11
Chase Brown run for 3 yds to the Illin 14
6:13
2nd & 7 at own 14
Isaiah Williams pass incomplete to Brian Hightower
6:13
3rd & 7 at own 14
Isaiah Williams pass complete to Brian Hightower for 3 yds to the Illin 17
6:13
4th & 4 at own 17
Blake Hayes punt for 51 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the PnSt 32
Penn State Touchdown, 9 plays
4:43
1st & 10 at own 32
Sean Clifford pass complete to Jahan Dotson for 6 yds to the PnSt 38
4:43
2nd & 4 at own 38
Sean Clifford pass complete to Brenton Strange for 9 yds to the PnSt 47 for a 1ST down
4:43
1st & 10 at own 47
Keyvone Lee run for 9 yds to the PENNST 44 for a 1ST down ILLINOIS Penalty, targeting (Derrick Smith) to the Illin 29 for a 1ST down
4:43
1st & 10 at opp 29
Sean Clifford run for 6 yds to the Illin 23
4:43
2nd & 4 at opp 23
Keyvone Lee run for 7 yds to the Illin 16 for a 1ST down
4:43
1st & 10 at opp 16
Keyvone Lee run for 1 yd to the Illin 15
4:43
2nd & 9 at opp 15
Sean Clifford pass complete to Keyvone Lee for 8 yds to the Illin 7
4:43
3rd & 1 at opp 7
Keyvone Lee run for no gain to the Illin 7
0:20
4th & 1 at opp 7
Will Levis pass complete to Brenton Strange for 7 yds for a TD ( KICK)Penn State 49, Illinois 21
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
0:20
1st & 0 at own 35
Jordan Stout kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
0:20
1st & 10 at own 25
Brandon Peters pass incomplete to Brian Hightower
0:20
2nd & 10 at own 25
Chase Brown run for 3 yds to the Illin 28
Q4 15:00
3rd & 7 at own 28
Brandon Peters pass incomplete to Daniel Imatorbhebhe
Q4 15:00
4th & 7 at own 28
Blake Hayes punt for 42 yds, fair catch by Jahan Dotson at the PnSt 30
4th quarter7 drives, then Penn State 56, Illinois 21
Penn State Punt, 3 plays
14:45
1st & 10 at own 30
Sean Clifford pass incomplete
14:45
2nd & 10 at own 30
Will Levis run for 4 yds to the PnSt 34
14:45
3rd & 6 at own 34
Sean Clifford sacked by Calvin Avery for a loss of 6 yards to the PnSt 28 PENN ST Penalty, personal foul (Rasheed Walker) to the PnSt 14
14:45
4th & 26 at own 14
Jordan Stout punt for 34 yds, fair catch by Carlos Sandy at the PnSt 48
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
13:38
1st & 10 at opp 48
Mike Epstein run for no gain to the PnSt 48
13:38
2nd & 10 at opp 48
Mike Epstein run for no gain to the PnSt 48
13:38
3rd & 10 at opp 48
Brandon Peters pass incomplete to Dalevon Campbell
13:38
4th & 10 at opp 48
Blake Hayes punt for 42 yds, downed at the PnSt 6
Penn State Punt, 5 plays
12:04
1st & 10 at own 6
Caziah Holmes run for 7 yds to the PnSt 13
12:04
2nd & 3 at own 13
Caziah Holmes run for 6 yds to the PnSt 19 for a 1ST down
12:04
1st & 10 at own 19
Will Levis run for 5 yds to the PnSt 24
12:04
2nd & 5 at own 24
Will Levis pass incomplete to Cam Sullivan-Brown
12:04
3rd & 5 at own 24
Will Levis pass incomplete, broken up by Isaiah Gay
12:04
4th & 5 at own 24
Jordan Stout punt for 48 yds, fair catch by Carlos Sandy at the Illin 28
Illinois Punt, 3 plays
10:03
1st & 10 at own 28
Isaiah Williams run for no gain to the Illin 28
10:03
2nd & 10 at own 28
Isaiah Williams pass incomplete to Carlos Sandy, broken up by Ji’Ayir Brown
10:03
3rd & 10 at own 28
Isaiah Williams run for 7 yds to the Illin 35
10:03
4th & 3 at own 35
Blake Hayes punt for 44 yds, fair catch by Jahan Dotson at the PnSt 21
Penn State Touchdown, 10 plays
8:41
1st & 10 at own 21
Will Levis run for 13 yds to the PnSt 34 for a 1ST down
8:41
1st & 10 at own 34
Will Levis pass complete to Caziah Holmes for 12 yds to the PnSt 46 for a 1ST down
8:41
1st & 10 at own 46
Caziah Holmes run for 14 yds to the Illin 40 for a 1ST down
8:41
1st & 10 at opp 40
Will Levis sacked by Jake Hansen and Jer’Zhan Newton for a loss of 3 yards to the Illin 43
8:41
2nd & 13 at opp 43
Caziah Holmes run for 22 yds to the Illin 21 for a 1ST down
8:41
1st & 10 at opp 21
Will Levis run for 8 yds to the Illin 13
8:41
2nd & 2 at opp 13
Caziah Holmes run for 7 yds to the Illin 6 for a 1ST down
8:41
1st & goal at opp 6
Caziah Holmes run for 4 yds to the Illin 2
8:41
2nd & goal at opp 2
Caziah Holmes run for 1 yd to the Illin 1
3:32
3rd & goal at opp 1
Caziah Holmes run for 1 yd for a TD ( KICK)Penn State 56, Illinois 21
Illinois Punt, 5 plays
3:32
1st & 0 at own 35
Jordan Stout kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
3:32
1st & 10 at own 25
Conner Lillig run for 9 yds to the Illin 34
3:32
2nd & 1 at own 34
Conner Lillig run for 2 yds to the Illin 36 for a 1ST down
3:32
1st & 10 at own 36
Nick Fedanzo run for 2 yds to the Illin 38
3:32
2nd & 8 at own 38
Brandon Peters pass incomplete to Dalevon Campbell
3:32
3rd & 8 at own 38
Deuce Spann run for 1 yd to the Illin 39
3:32
4th & 7 at own 39
Hugh Robertson punt for 38 yds, fair catch by Jahan Dotson at the PnSt 23
Penn State End of game, 4 plays
1:42
1st & 10 at own 23
Joseph Bruno run for 5 yds to the PnSt 28
1:42
2nd & 5 at own 28
Joseph Bruno run for 10 yds to the PnSt 38 for a 1ST down
1:42
1st & 10 at own 38
Joseph Bruno run for 20 yds to the Illin 42 for a 1ST down
1:42
1st & 10 at opp 42
Joseph Bruno run for 7 yds to the Illin 35
Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.
ReceivingJahan Dotson6 catches, 189 yards, 2 TDPenn State3rd-best receiving day of Week 16
Illinois
Penn State