Penn State’s defense was frustrating Saturday night.
With its crucial penalties at big moments, Penn State’s defense probably caused you to pull some hair out. But that pales in comparison to how frustrating it was for Illinois and their offense.
In many ways, that’s what made the taste of a 21-7 win over the Illini a tad frustrating to stomach.
A cursory glance at the box score tells the positive story with Penn State’s defense. It allowed just seven points. It gave up a mere 34 yards rushing. In reality, the Illini’s offense sniffed the end zone only once after the game’s opening drive.
But its biggest problem, penalties, reared its head once again. While minor ticks on a boxscore that also showed more penalties by Illinois, it was the moments at which they came that felt backbreaking.
There was Jaylen Reed’s pointless 15-yard personal foul for a late hit out of bounds on the game’s opening. Abdul Carter continued to struggle with jumping the snap early, picking up an offside penalty. And then Zion Tracy took points off the board with a completely unnecessary block in the back during what would have been AJ Harris’ game sealing pick six.
They were game changing penalties that can’t happen in bigger moments.
And in some ways, this defense feels like the aboutface of the Manny Diaz defense Penn State fans became accustomed to over the last two years. Instead of chaos, ball-hawking and turnover generation, under Tom Allen, Penn State has offered for more a bend, don’t break style.
But that bend, don’t break style worked Saturday night too, and that’s what made it most notably so frustrating for Illinois.
In the turning point of the evening’s contest, Penn State was able to halt a deep drive – with the help of the crowd – by sending the Illini from first and goal at the two to 4th and goal from the 27.
After that, Penn State’s defense shut down the Illini.
The Illini only ran two plays in the entire second half inside Penn State’s half of the field. All two of those came in virtual garbage time on their final drive of the game, going for a five-yard loss and an incomplete pass.
It was also before a penalty by the Illini that Carter forced a fumble by Luke Altmyer that was scooped up by Smith Vilbert to end the game.
It is clear that Penn State’s defense can play to an elite, playoff-worthy level. In the second half, Penn State allowed just 59 yards of offense. Once Carter settled down – and played the traditional linebacker spot – he was able to rack up two sacks while Zane Durant offered a sack and two tackles for a loss. Reed took a step forward in the absence of KJ Winston as well at safety.
If Penn State can avoid self-inflicted wounds, it’s a much more complete team – even with a questionable kicking game.
As the defense repeatedly provided stops, Penn State’s dominant offensive line and rushing game racked up 239 yards on the ground. And that type of complementary football can put games away quickly.
Penn State had a command on much of the evening’s contest but its lingering penalties opened the door just a bit. It might be fine against Illinois now but with the meat of its schedule looming, Penn State has to correct the issue before it becomes even more frustrating.
Update: Jaylen Reed committed the late hit out of bounds penalty, not Vanover on the opening drive.
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