Ben Miller Head Coach Analyst | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Ben Miller Head Coach Analyst | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
No. 19 Illinois will face No. 9 Penn State in a Big Ten football matchup on Saturday at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. The game, set for 6:30 p.m. CT, will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
Illinois (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) comes off a 31-24 overtime victory over No. 22 Nebraska, marking their second AP Top 25 win this season. This achievement makes Illinois the first FBS program to record two AP Top 25 wins this year. They are also starting the season with a 4-0 record for the first time since 2011.
Penn State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) will play its conference opener after victories over West Virginia, Bowling Green, and Kent State in nonconference games.
The two teams met last season when Penn State won in Champaign. This upcoming game marks Illinois' first visit to Beaver Stadium since their historic nine-overtime win in 2021.
NBC's broadcast team includes Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), and Kathryn Tappen (reporter). The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network will provide radio coverage with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Kevin Mitchell (analyst), and Michael Martin (sideline).
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has led his team to notable achievements early this season. "Illinois and #5 Tennessee are the only teams in the nation with two AP Top 25 wins this season," reads part of the press release from Illinois Athletics.
The Illini's defense ranks highly nationally under defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, including being fourth in interceptions with seven picks across four games.
Saturday’s game against Penn State is part of a challenging stretch for Illinois, which is scheduled to face five ranked opponents over seven games this season.