Nittany Lions Host Illinois in Saturday, Dec. 19 Big Ten Matchup

RecordStaffDecember 13, 2020Last Updated: December 13, 2020

1 minute read

Photo courtesy Penn State University Athletics

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Big Ten has announced matchups for week nine, as Penn State will host the Illinois Fighting Illini this Saturday, Dec. 19, in Beaver Stadium. Kickoff will be at 5:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

In 24 all-time matchups with the Illini, Penn State leads the series, 19-5.

Penn State is currently 3-5, in fourth place in the Big Ten’s Eastern Division. Illinois is 2-4 and tied for fourth in the Big Ten’s Western Division.

Illinois announced Sunday that Lovie Smith, the Illini coach for the last five years, will not return in 2021. Illinois lost to Northwestern Saturday by a 28-10 score. The team went 17-39 during Smith’s tenure.

The two squads last met on Sept. 21, 2018, as Penn State totaled 387 rushing yards, led by 200 yards and three touchdowns from Miles Sanders, as it defeated Illinois, 63-24, in Memorial Stadium in the Big Ten football opener for both teams. Penn State put the game out of reach with 42 unanswered points in the second half, with 35 coming in the fourth quarter.

Ohio State (5-0) will play Northwestern (5-1) in the conference title game Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in Indianapolis.