Drastically improved Illinois QB Luke Altmyer leads team into ranked showdown at Penn State
The nonconference portion of Penn State's schedule is complete, and the No. 9 Nittany Lions came out of it without a blemish at 3-0.
However, because of the quality of their opponents — two Mid-American Conference foes plus West Virginia in the season-opener — having done so may be considered more workmanlike as opposed to any sort of stellar accomplishment.
Still, coach James Franklin couldn't help but briefly look back on his team's narrow victory over Bowling Green two weeks ago, a 34-27 win at home that proved to be much more of a battle than many expected.
Last Saturday, as Penn State pummeled Kent State, 56-0, the Falcons hit the road for another ranked matchup vs. No. 25 Texas A&M and again put up a tough fight, falling 26-20 to the Aggies.
The result of that game offered Franklin a bit of comfort, lessening any internal worries that may have lingered following the Nittany Lions' failure to hand Bowling Green a lopsided defeat.
"I think the Bowling Green game had some people concerned, and then Bowling Green goes to Texas A&M and has a similar type game," Franklin said. "I think Bowling Green's a really good MAC team, so that was helpful for me, as well as probably others."
Big Ten league play is up next for Franklin and his players, as an undefeated No. 19 Illinois squad heads to Happy Valley for a Saturday night showdown.
The Fighting Illini come off a thrilling overtime win on the road over then-No. 22 Nebraska.
For Franklin, picking up a win like that away from home demonstrated toughness.
"It's going to be a heck of a game," Franklin said. "Obviously, their road win at Nebraska was a really big win for them, so they're coming in here confident. They're also coming in here already (having gone) on the road and finding success in a tough environment.
"Nebraska's a storied program. They take a lot of pride in their stadium and their gameday environment, as well. So I think that'll give Illinois a ton of confidence coming into our place."
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer should present a good challenge for Penn State's defense, particularly the secondary, which is still navigating the loss of safety Kevin Winston Jr. while experimenting with personnel groupings at corner and nickel.
The last the Nittany Lions saw of Altmyer was Sept. 16, 2023, when they beat Illinois, 30-13, a game in which Altmyer threw four interceptions and was benched.
But this year, the junior signal caller appears to have improved by leaps and bounds.
Through four games, he's thrown 10 touchdown passes and is one of seven remaining FBS quarterbacks who have yet to throw an interception.
Altmyer is completing 71.4% of his passes and has 862 yards through the air leading into Saturday.
"(Illinois) is putting up some really good numbers," Franklin said. "I think the biggest difference is the quarterback. ... I think he's one of the more improved players right now in college football.
"He's just doing a really good job at managing the game. He's throwing completions for a high percentage, he's protecting the football, he's getting the ball into the end zone. He's really doing a nice job."
On the ground, the Nittany Lions' 16th-ranked run defense (85 yards per game) will prepare to face Illinois' Kaden Feagin, a 250-pound power back that Franklin described as a "thumper."
Meeting with reporters in State College Monday, Franklin declined to review much of the Nittany Lions' blowout win over a dreadful Kent State team.
But Franklin had reason to be pleased, given another efficient outing from Drew Allar, who went 17 of 21 with 309 yards and three touchdowns.
Additionally, eight separate Penn State players scored touchdowns.
"I've never seen a statistic where eight different players score a touchdown; I don't know if I've ever seen that before," Franklin said.
Overall, Franklin is pleased with Penn State's body of work through three weeks.
But far more difficult tests await, beginning with the Fighting Illini on Saturday.
Before then, the Nittany Lions need to continue making strides in all facets of the game
"We're taking a step in the right direction but we've got to get better this week," Franklin said. "As a defense, as an offense, as a team, on special teams — all of it. I think our guys are approaching it the right way."
