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Sept. 29, 2007
Recap |
Final Stats |
AP Photo Gallery 
- This is Illinois' first victory over a Top 25 opponent since winning at No. 25 Ohio State on Nov. 17, 2001. It was also the Illini's first win over a ranked opponent at Memorial Stadium since defeating No. 25 Louisville on Sept. 22, 2001.
- The win was also Illinois' first over a ranked Big Ten opponent at Memorial Stadium since defeating No. 11 Ohio State on Oct. 12, 1991.
- Today marks Illinois' first victory over Penn State since Nov. 10, 2001
- This is Illinois' first win in a conference home opener since defeating Minnesota in 2001.
- Illinois is now 2-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1991.
- Illinois had 216 yards rushing today, its fourth straight 200-yard rushing performance. Illinois entered today's game ranked fifth in the nation in rushing, and is now averaging 255.6 ypg on the ground this season.
- Arrelious Benn returned Illinois' first kickoff of the game 90 yards for a touchdown, the first for an Illini player since Pierre Thomas' 99-yard TD return against Western Michigan on Sept. 18, 2004. Benn did it on his first career kickoff return attempt. It also was the first kickoff return for a touchdown against Penn State since 1994.
- Benn set a career-high in receiving yards with 84 and in catches with six. He also scored his first offensive touchdown of his career on a 29-yard pass from Juice Williams.
- Rashard Mendenhall scored his eighth rushing touchdown of the year on a two-yard run in the first quarter.
- Mendenhall broke into Illinois' career all-time rushing top-20 with 76 yards today. For his career he has rushed for 1,470 yards which ranks 20th.
- Will Davis recorded a half sack in the second quarter to give him eight quarterback sacks for the season.
- Three times the Illini stopped Penn State inside the 30 yard line. J Leman's touchdown-saving interception to end the third quarter was the first of his career ... Vontae Davis picked up his second in two weeks with a pick in the fourth quarter ... Justin Harrison forced a fumble by Anthony Morelli at the 10 late in the fourth, resulting in a change of possession on downs.
- J Leman led the Illini in tackles once again today with 10, his fourth double-digit performance in five games on the year. Leman is now averaging 11.8 tackles per game.
- Kevin Mitchell closed out the game with an interception at the 9-yard line with nine seconds remaining. It was the third interception of his career. Mitchell also had eight tackles and a fumble recovery on the day.
- Sirod Williams forced his first fumble of his career. The fumble led to an Illinois touchdown in the second quarter.
- Jason Reda had two field goals today, giving him 41 for his career to move into a tie for third on the Illinois career field goals list.
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Today's game was the first sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium since Sept. 28, 2002 vs. Michigan.
