Nov 5, 2002 4 min read

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) – Don’t let Larry Johnson’s second record-setting performance in three games fool you – when Penn State wins these days, it does so with defense. On Saturday, the No. 20 Nittany Lions (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) held the league’s leading offense more than 140 yards below its average, stuffing the Illinois run game and refusing to allow any long passes in an 18-7 victory.

Over the last three games, defense has been the most consistent element in Penn State’s success. The Nittany Lions shut out Northwestern, and an interception returned for a touchdown made the difference in their 13-7 loss at Ohio State. When Illinois (3-6, 2-3) scored late in the fourth quarter, it ended Penn State’s run of 11 consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown.

“Everyone gets hung up on the shutout, but I don’t worry about that,” defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. “I think we played well and then we got tired toward the end. We made some critical plays and played some good defense.”

That’s a switch from early in the season, when Penn State’s passing game was putting opponents away and the defense was, seemingly, letting them back in the game. Bradley and his crew were roundly criticized after Central Florida made a big fourth-quarter comeback in Penn State’s season opener.

“I think everyone is really comfortable with what they are doing. They seem to be learning the scheme, and there is an understanding of what we’re trying to get done. A lot of guys are just coming out and making the plays,” cornerback Bryan Scott said.

“I think it started to click during our week of preparation for Northwestern,” Scott said. “It seems like ever since that week, we’ve just come out and played hard and, most importantly, enjoyed ourselves out there.”

Brandon Lloyd came in as the Big Ten’s second-leading receiver at 106.6 yards per game. He had seven catches Saturday, but for only 54 yards, and none was longer than 16 yards. Antoineo Harris, who rushed for 195 and 176 yards in his last two games, gained just 79 yards on 27 carries.

“They’ve got a good defense – big and physical up front. They’re very difficult to run on. You’re not going to be able to line up and run the ball,” Illinois coach Ron Turner. “I was very impressed with their pass rush. We didn’t do a good job pass blocking today, and they did a good job rushing the passer. The put pressure on the quarterback and stopped the run, and when you do those tow things it’s hard to move the ball.”

Illinois finished with 292 yards total offense, but almost half of those came during the fourth quarter, when the Fighting Illini were already down 18-0. The Illini were forced to punt eight times and crossed midfield just once in the first three quarters.

“That’s a pretty good offensive football team we just played. That was a real good effort on the part of the defense,” Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. “Tom and the defensive coaches have fought through some criticism. I think they deserve a pat on the back.”

Illinois did make a run in the fourth quarter, after Jon Beutjer took over for Dustin Ward at quarterback. Beutjer’s 1-yard pass to Kenny Boyle made it 18-7 with 5:22 left, and the Illini reached the Penn State 3-yard line on their next drive.

But Jimmy Kennedy tipped Beutjer’s last pass at the line of scrimmage, and Anwar Phillips made the interception, allowing Penn State to run out the clock.

“We gave ourselves some chances to get in the game and win the game,” Turner said. “We had some opportunities, but didn’t get them done.”