Illini's stagnant offense to meet Penn State's Bid Ten-leading D

Penn State (3-1, 0-1) at Illinois (1-2, 0-1)

When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium

TV: Channel 7; Radio: WIND 560-AM

Series: Penn State leads 13-3

Coaches: Joe Paterno (386-126-3, 44th year at Penn State); Ron Zook (24-37, fifth year at Illinois; 47-51 overall)

Players to watch: Penn State QB Daryll Clark had a career day in reverse last week against Iowa. After shredding three easy non-conference foes, Clark completed 12 of 32 passes for 198 yards and a career-high 3 interceptions versus the Hawkeyes. RB Evan Royster rushed for 139 yards last year against Illinois, but averages just 76.3 yards this year. The Nittany Lions won't have all-Big Ten linebacker Sean Lee (knee) for the second week in a row, which leaves senior LB Josh Hull as the team's top playmaker.

Illinois WR Arrelious Benn loves to see Penn State on the other sideline. Benn has 8 career touchdowns on his 28-game resume, and four of them have come against the Nittany Lions. That includes the 91-yard kickoff return that set the tone for Illinois' 27-20 win in PSU's previous trip to Champaign. QB Juice Williams makes his 38th consecutive start and needs 76 yards to break former Schaumburg star Kurt Kittner's career total-offense record. OLB Ian Thomas is developing into a leader on a defense that needs direction.

The skinny: According to the statistics, this stacks up as Illinois' unmoving offense against Penn State's unmovable defense. The Illini are in the Big Ten's basement in passing (155.7 ypg) and scoring (18.0 ppg) while the Nittany Lions defense leads the league in scoring (10.3 ppg), total defense (233.8 ypg), run defense (75.5 ypg), pass defense (158.3 ypg), sacks (12), and tackles for loss (36). On the plus side for Illinois, the Nittany Lions offense hasn't been nearly as explosive as last year. Iowa's defense manhandled PSU last week, so Illinois at least has a chance. Oh, wait. The Illini rank 10th in the Big Ten in most defensive categories.