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Illinois football vs. Penn State time, location, current record, and series history

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; General view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during the second quarter against California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; General view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during the second quarter against California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois football is coming off a tough loss to Kansas, and things don’t get easier in week three.

The Penn State Nittany Lions are waiting. The Illini have a chance to knock off a top-10 program, but this one is going to be extremely tough.

Here is the Illinois football vs. Penn State time, location, current record, and series history

  • Game Time

Penn State takes on the Illinois football program at 11:00 a.m. CT/12:00 p.m. ET this Saturday, September 16. It will be televised on FOX.

  • Location

Illinois welcomes in the Nittany Lions. This game will be held in Champaign, Illinois at Memorial Stadium.

  • Illinois vs. Penn State History

The first meeting between Illinois and Penn State came in 1954. The Illini entered the 1954 campaign ranked No. 6 in the nation. They started that year against an unranked Nittany Lions unit.

Illinois ended up falling to Penn State. This was the first loss in a 1-8 campaign for the Orange and Blue.

Overall, this series hasn’t been friendly to the Illini. Penn State leads the series 20-6.

Illinois has bested the Nittany Lions in the most recent matchup, though. In 2021, the Illini took down No. 7 Penn State in Happy Valley, 20-18. It was the longest game in NCAA football history at nine overtimes.

  • Record to Date

Illinois (1-1) comes into the Penn State (2-0) game on Saturday in less-than-ideal form.

The Illini struggled against Toledo in week one, narrowly nipping the Rockets 30-28 on a last-second field goal. These struggles spilled over into week two as well.

Illinois went down to Lawrence and was soundly beaten by Kansas, 34-23. The score is closer than what was actually happening on the field. If Illinois doesn’t get some things corrected, it could be a long day.

. . 2-0. 806. . 1-1. . 807

Penn State, on the other hand, has looked phenomenal through two games. They took care of business in week one against West Virginia, 38-15.

This past week, the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens didn’t have a chance, as the Nittany Lions pounced early and often en route to winning the game, 63-7.

The Nittany Lions have a well-balanced offense and a daunting defense. Illinois is going to have to bring its A-game on Saturday.

Next. 7 Illini players who have struggled so far in 2023. dark

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