GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Illinois’ best chance to stay alive against a high-powered offense like Penn State’s is to force mistakes. The Nittany Lions’ receivers have dropped a handful of passes through three weeks and the Illini have the defensive backs who can turn bobbled and tipped balls into picks. They’ve got two in each game so far this season and will need to take advantage if the Nittany Lion receiving corps continues to make mistakes.
DRAFT SLANT
–CB Amani Oruwariye made three tackles with one for a loss against Kent State. The senior is rated the 52nd-best NFL prospect for the 2019 draft, according to NFLDraftScout.com.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB Trace McSorley has thrown a touchdown pass in 31-straight games, the longest active streak in FBS. He became the program’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns by a QB with 24 on Saturday and joined Michael Robinson as the only other Penn State signal-caller to run for 1,000 career yards.
–CB John Reid missed his second straight game with an unspecified injury. He missed all of last season with a knee injury.
–QB Tommy Stevens will travel with the team after not playing in each of the first three games. Franklin said if the team needed him, Stevens could’ve played last week.
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