No. 7 Nittany Lions ready for hostile crowd when they play against Illinois team eager for upset

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Penn State will play in a hostile environment for the first time Saturday, opening its Big Ten season on the road at Illinois in a nationally televised game.

The Illini are coming off a disappointing loss last week at Kansas. They hope a raucous home crowd can carry them to an upset win over the No. 7-ranked Nittany Lions.

Penn State coach James Franklin said his team knows what to expect, especially with the Illini promoting an “orange-out.” The Nittany Lions ran into a similar hornet’s nest last year.

“It should be a great atmosphere at Illinois, a great environment for college football,” he said. “We opened our Big Ten season last year at Purdue. There was a black-out there.”

Penn State beat Purdue 35-31, rallying from a 24-21 deficit after three quarters.

The Nittany Lions (2-0) have beaten West Virginia 38-15 and Delaware 63-7, and are opening their Big Ten season on the road for the eighth straight season and 13th time in 14 years.

The Illini opened at home with a come-from-behind, 30-28 win over Toledo before stubbing their toes, losing 34-23 at Kansas after falling behind 28-7 at halftime.

Franklin has circled receiver Isaiah Williams and quarterback Luke Altmyer as players to watch on the Illinois offense.

“They’re always trying to find ways to get the ball in No. 1’s hands,” Franklin said of Williams, a former quarterback who has caught at least one pass in all 27 games he’s played as a receiver since switching positions before the start of the 2021 season.

As for Altmyer, “he’s really helped them,” Franklin said of the transfer from Ole Miss. “He’s able to make plays with his arm and his legs.”

Altmyer had a 72-yard run for a touchdown against Kansas. He’s the Illini’s leading rusher with 139 yards.