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Penn State football continues to gradually step its way up in the national polls.
The Nittany Lions rose another spot to No. 7 in the US LBM Coaches Poll after its punishing 21-7 victory over previously Top 25 Illinois in Beaver Stadium.
The Lions benefitted from the Mississippi’s upset defeat to Kentucky earlier on Saturday. The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs also lost but fell only to No. 5 after failing on a desperate comeback attempt and losing in the final moments to now-No. 2 Alabama.
Undefeated Ohio State and Oregon and one-loss Michigan were other Big Ten winners in the new Top 10.
The 4-0 Nittany Lions, though up-and-down on offense Saturday night, gave their most impressive effort of the young season on defense against the Illini. They yielded only 219 total yards − just 34 on the ground.
Analysis: How can Penn State fix its surprising problem?
Penn State’s Zane Durant (28) sacks Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer in the fourth quarter of a Big Ten football Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa.
Penn State football: Still rolling toward first College Football Playoff
The Lions are looking to qualify for their first playoff, which expands to 12 teams this year. They would have likely made a 12-team field in six of the last eight years, including 2023, which ended in a Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss and a No. 13 final ranking.
Finishing the regular season ranked fifth through eighth would guarantee the Lions an opening playoff game in Beaver Stadium on the weekend before Christmas.
Penn State report card vs. Illinois
The Lions hope their pounding, relentless running game against the Illini will continue to diversify their building offense under new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Tailbacks Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and their group of blockers picked up an off-kilter passing effort from Drew Allar and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/top-10-rise-far-did-172041643.html
Author : York Daily Record
Publish date : 2024-09-29 17:20:41
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