FIRST QUARTER: Penn State 0, Illinois 0
Snow flurries were flying fast and the temperatures were near freezing when the game kicked off, with Penn State receiving the ball to start the contest. Snow was not accumulating on the field.
The Beaver Stadium stands were about three-quarters full — and only the student section was decked out in white (clothing). The only other white in the stadium were the empty steely white bleachers mostly in the upper southeast corner of the end zone.
Joe Paterno began the game in the coaches box high above the field and it is likely that is where he will spend the game.
To begin the game, the two offenses had a tough time getting started and the two teams traded punts. Matt McGloin started at quarterback for Penn State. Wide receiver Derek Moye, out the past two games with a broken bone in his foot, dressed and warmed up, but he began the game on the sideline wearing a blue knit hat.
McGloin completed his first two passes — to Devon Smith and Michael Zordich — but was short on a third-and-7 to a wide-open Justin Brown.
On a third-and-8 on Penn State’s next drive, McGloin couldn’t connect with Silas on a screen pass — the Lions’ Achilles heel in 2011 — and the Lions had to punt. Illinois took over at its own 32, to begin its second possession of the first quarter at the 8:51 mark.
Dark and dreary weather, quiet crowd, seemingly uninspired offenses.
Justin Brown has fielded two punts for Penn State. One bounced off his helmet, onto the ground, and recovered it. The second one he was a bit shaky, but held on to give Penn State a first 10 on its own 38.
On a third and 7 from the 41, McGloin dropped back and patiently waited for Brown to cross the field to near the Penn State sideline, where Brown made a 21-yard reception. After a fake reverse to Devon Smith, McGloin then tried to hit Smith along the sideline, but it was incomplete. Silas Redd took over.
Redd, who entered the game with four straight 100-yard games, ran for 13 yards in the middle of the field. McGloin tried to connect with Curtis Drake in the end zone, but Drake had to turn and then caught the ball out of bounds.
Redd came out of the game — stingers again? — and the Lions gave the ball to Brandon Beachum, who lost a yard. McGloin was nearly intercepted on an attempt to Brown. That set up fourth down from the 26.
Anthony Fera came in and missed a 43-yard field goal attempt, kicking into the south end with little wind. He missed. That was Fera’s first miss since a 52-yarder against Indiana. Since then, he had made nine straight field goals. The longest FG in that time was from 40 yards.
On a 1 and 10 from the Penn State 37, Redd ran up the middle and fumbled the ball, and Illinois recovered. It was his second fumble of the year.
Illinois took over at the PSU 37-yard line. On the very first play, PSU safety Drew Astorino made a big tackle, dropping Illinois’ receiver Darius Millines for a six-yard loss. On third down, Gerald Hodges dropped QB Nathan Scheelhaase for an eight-yard loss.
Illinois punted, and Penn State took over at its own 17, but failed to move the ball. Again.
A 33-yard punt by Fera — having a bad day — gave Illinois the ball on its own 44.
Illinois couldn’t move the ball — still, as in Devon Still. Still sacked Scheelhasse for nine yards. It was apprpriate way to end the first quarter: Illinois had just 12 yards rushing and minus four yards overall.
McGloin was having trouble finding his mark for Penn State, connecting on just 4 of 12 passes for 33 yards. Redd had 30 yards rushing.
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