5 Interesting facts about the Illinois vs. Penn State rivalry ahead of Week 5 CFB Matchup
No. 19 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) will hit the road to face their Big Ten rival, No. 9 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0, 0-0), on Saturday night at University Park. Both teams enter Week 5 after huge wins last week. Illinois defeated Dylan Raiola's Nebraska Cornhuskers 31-24, while Penn State dominated Kent State 56-0 in Week 4.
As the highly anticipated Illinois vs. Penn State matchup kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 28, let's take a look at 5 interesting facts about this rivalry:
#1 When did Illinois and Penn State play each other for the first time?
The first time Illinois and Penn State faced off was on September 25, 1954, in Champaign, IL. In that game, Illinois suffered a heartbreaking 12-14 loss to the Nittany Lions. It wasn't until 1960 that Illinois won their first game against Penn State, in another nail-biting 10-8 victory.
#2 Illinois vs. Penn State head-to-head record
Illinois vs Penn State rivalry has been played 27 times since 1954. Currently, the Penn State Nittany Lions are leading the head-to-head with a 21-6 winning record against the Fighting Illini.
#3 When was the last Illinois vs. Penn State game played?
The last time Illinois and Penn State met was on September 16, 2023. In that game, Penn State recorded their 21st win against the Fighting Illini on Illinois' home turf in Champaign, IL.
Penn State dominated early as kicker Alex Felkins scored two field goals (20 yards and 45 yards) taking a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. At the start of the second quarter, Penn State's RB Kaytron Allen scored a four-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 13-0.
Illinois tried to mount a comeback when RB Reggie Love III scored a five-yard rushing touchdown, but another 28-yard field goal by Nittany Lions' Alex Felkins in the closing minutes gave Penn State a 16-7 lead.
In the second half, Penn State's TE Tyler Warren and RB Nicholas Singleton scored two more touchdowns and secured a 30-13 victory.
#4 What are the longest winning streaks Illinois and Penn State have against each other?
The longest winning streak Penn State has had over Illinois is seven games, from 1972 to 2000. On the other hand, the longest winning streak Illinois has is just one game over the Nittany Lions.
#5 What is the largest margin of victory Illinois and Penn State have had against each other?
The largest margin of victory Penn State has over Illinois is 53 (63-10), during the 2005 season. It was a one-sided clash where the Nittany Lions scored 56 points in the first half, while the Fighting Illini managed only 3.
In the second half, only 14 points were scored in total, as both teams added one touchdown each, and Penn State secured a 53-point win. On the other hand, Illinois' largest win over Penn State came in 2010, with a 33-13 victory.
Where to catch the Illinois vs. Penn State game live on Saturday?
Football fans can catch the live action of the Illinois vs. Penn State game on the NBC Sports Network. The Saturday night game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 28 and the announcers for the game will feature Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (Analyst), and Kathryn Tappen (Sidelines).