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By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 30-13 victory over Illini on Saturday at Memorial Stadium:
Play of the game: Immediately after a 32-yard Illini completion, Johnny Dixon intercepted Luke Altmyer at the PSU 7 in the third quarter to keep the Nittany Lions' lead at 16-7.
Offensive player of the game: Penn State running back Nick Singleton accounted for 140 yards total offense -- 37 on 11 rushes, 49 on three receptions and 54 on three kickoff returns. He also scored on a 16-yard TD.
Defensive player of the game: Dom DeLuca made six tackles and forced a key early fumble.
Most telling statistic: PSU won the turnover battle 5-0.
Hidden statistic: Illinois rushed for two first downs on its first four plays … and had two more rushing first downs the remainder of the game.
Most deceiving statistic: Both teams had 20 first downs.
Best run: Kaytron Allen rumbled for 18 yards in the third quarter to the Illini 11, setting up a touchdown that gave the Nits breathing room at 23-7.
Best pass: Drew Allar found Liam Clifford for 33 yards to the Illini 11 with 10 seconds left in the first half. Showcasing his arm strength, he threw from the opposite hash across the field.
Worst pass: Altmyer threw short over the middle and was intercepted by Abdul Carter in the first quarter.
Best catch: Lion corner Daequan Hardy made a great interception in one-on-one coverage late in the first quarter.
Catch it, will ya: Bad day. KeAndre Lambert-Smith dropped an easy reception on the Lions' second play, leading to a punt. Malik McClain followed suit with two drops and Trey Potts had one.
Hold it, won't ya: Backup QB Beau Pribula recovered his own late fumble.
Best tackle: DeLuca coaxed an early fumble out of Josh McCray, and Kobe King recovered at the Illinois 43.
Best hit: Adisa Isaac burst free to blast Altmyer.
Best kick: Alex Felkins buried a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter, bumping the Nits' lead to 6-0.
Best call: The 11-yard touchdown off a halfback option pass from Potts to Tyler Warren gave the Lions a 23-7 lead.
Worst call: No quibbles.
Worst penalty: Up 13-0, PSU drove to the Illini and faced third-and-2, but an unsportsmanlike penalty on Lambert-Smith for taunting cost 15 yards and led to a blocked field goal, blunting moment.
Best effort: Backup receiver Kaden Saunders, subbing for injured Trey Wallace, caught two passes for 19 yards and returned two punts for 16.
Unsung hero: Felkins made three field goals -- from 20, 45 and 28.
Best moment: Illinois inducted Rashard Mendenhall and Jack Trudeau into its Hall of Fame at halftime.