Lions247 In-Game Thread - Illinois

Jeff Rice
9 months ago
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Penn State opens its Big Ten season on the road in sunny Champaign against an inconsistent bunch of Illinois Fighting Illini. The Nittany Lions hope the return of Bill Belton and Derek Day will bolster the running game and that the defense can build on its recent momentum.

Follow along and post your comments in our live in-game thread.

Lions247 In-Game Thread - Illinois

Jeff Rice
Penn State Insider - Lions247

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9 months ago

http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/Lions247-In-Game-Thread-Illinois-93197
Bill O'Brien and Penn State square off against Tim Beckman and Illinois as the Nittany Lions kick off their Big Ten season.
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9 months ago via 247Sports Mobile

Exclusive interview with Jenn Brown and since you showed off the new photo feature we have expectations Hahaha
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9 months ago

Greetings from the press box at Memorial Stadium, everyone. It is brilliantly sunny here as we are about 40 minutes from kickoff.
Couple of quick notes:
-- DE Pete Massaro did not make the trip. No real surprise. DaQuan Davis, Eugene Lewis, Steven Bench, Jordan Lucas, Jesse James, Trevor Williams, Akeel Lynch, Charles Idemudia, Brent Wilkerson and Austin Johnson are the freshmen who made the travel squad.
-- RB Michael Zordich is likely to see some action today, but probably on special teams or as a fullback. Maybe a couple of carries at tailback. He's moving pretty well on warmups.
-- As if the Nittany Lions needed more motivation, the sports front of the hometown Champaign News-Gazette had a story titled "Who Are These Guys?" accompanied by a photo of Penn State from Media Day. A lot of the players are sweating and wiping their faces (it was pretty warm that day), so it's not real flattering. Neither is the story, which chronicles the players that left as well as the players who stayed. Heard that it didn't sit real well with some of the team this morning.
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9 months ago

Seltz said...
Exclusive interview with Jenn Brown and since you showed off the new photo feature we have expectations Hahaha

I'm waiting for her to find me in the press box. You have to let the hot, married ones come to you.
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9 months ago

I do ESPN streak for cash with a group of friends. If you are not familiar with it, you basically have a variety of games across all sports that you can pick from and the goal is to get the longest winning streak. We do it for dinner once a month.
Well I went in to make my pick and 63% of the people are picking Illinois. I know they are a slight favorite by Vegas but still there is just always this ignorance towards us. Like we are down and we must not be good because of what Cowboy Joe did to us. I like this chip on the shoulder thing. I took PSU and I am looking for revenge today.
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9 months ago

Also expecting to see Donovan Smith back at left tackle today but probably not for the entire game. He, Farrell and Gress will rotate. Likely a little bit less of Eric Shrive.
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9 months ago

I'll be honest...I'm a little worried. I think we absolutely should win this game, but you never know. Being an away game makes me wary as well.
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9 months ago

Who is Charles Idemudia?
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9 months ago

Jeff Rice said...
Also expecting to see Donovan Smith back at left tackle today but probably not for the entire game. He, Farrell and Gress will rotate. Likely a little bit less of Eric Shrive.

Wish we could see less of Gress.
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9 months ago

lion95 said...
Who is Charles Idemudia?

Walk-on linebacker. Joined the team this summer.
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9 months ago

lion95 said...
Who is Charles Idemudia?

Walk-on...linebacker? IIRC.
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9 months ago

The falling attendance numbers in Beaver Stadium have gotten plenty of pub this season, but it's always important to remember how the other half (in this case, Illinois) lives.
Fifteen minutes to kickoff and NO ONE IS HERE. Maybe 20, 25,000 in the seats right now.
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9 months ago

Jeff Rice said...
The falling attendance numbers in Beaver Stadium have gotten plenty of pub this season, but it's always important to remember how the other half (in this case, Illinois) lives.
Fifteen minutes to kickoff and NO ONE IS HERE. Maybe 20, 25,000 in the seats right now.

I think it's been an issue everywhere this season. Can't wait to see how sparse the bowl games are.
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9 months ago

Illinois just doesn't know when to shut their mouths do they.
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9 months ago via 247Sports Mobile

Jenn will be changing her name to Mrs. Philafan soon!
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9 months ago

Jeff, Do you know if the two O-tackles that have been hurt are going to start today for Illinois?
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9 months ago

The Heel said...
Jeff, Do you know if the two O-tackles that have been hurt are going to start today for Illinois?

I saw that they aren't expected to play but some people have just said that Potic? will play. So I don't know.
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9 months ago

The Heel said...
Jeff, Do you know if the two O-tackles that have been hurt are going to start today for Illinois?

Hugh Thornton, their left tackle, is not dressed and will not play. Not sure about right side.
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9 months ago

Thanks, I know Illinois fan was really worried about playing without them.
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9 months ago

Illinois wins toss and defers. Penn State will receive.
Penn State's game captains today: Shane McGregor, James Terry and Jacob Fagnano.
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9 months ago

everybody on gameday just took PSU to win.
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9 months ago

Have we got the ball first in all 5 games?
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9 months ago

Mike Farrell and Adam Gress get the start at the tackles for Penn State. Belton is the starting tailback.
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9 months ago

shavisimo2 said...
Have we got the ball first in all 5 games?

Yes.
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9 months ago via 247Sports Mobile

That was awful
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