Fast start fizzles, Illini fall hard against Lions

STATECOLLEGE, Pa.— Jahan Dotson caught six passes, scored twice and racked up 239 allpurpose yards to lead Penn State to a 56-21 win over Illinois on Saturday.

The junior wideout opened the game with a 75-yard touchdown catch, added a 70-yarder in the second quarter and returned a punt 50 yards, taking it deep into Illinois territory to set up Penn State’s go-ahead touchdown before halftime.

Sean Clifford tossed both touchdowns and added 285 yards on 16-for-22 passing. Will Levis threw a touchdown pass to Brenton Strange and ran for one while Caziah Holmes and Keyvone Lee combined for three rushing scores in the Nittany Lions’ (4-5) fourth straight win.

This one came in the latest game ever played at Beaver Stadium with the sprawling, 107,000seat facility blanketed in more than a foot of snow from lower decks to upper grandstands.

It looked as if it would be a high-powered shootout from the get-go as neither defense showed up for the first quarter when the teams combined for 355 yards and 42 points.

After Dotson’s opening score, Illinois turned a Clifford fumble into its first points when Isaiah Williams found Brian Hightower for a 5-yard touchdown pass.

A minute later it was 14-all as LamontWade returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards and Illinois’ Chase Brown scored on a 12-yard touchdown run that capped a three-play drive opened with Williams’ 64-yard run deep into Penn State territory.

Williams finished with 120 yards, two TDs and an interception on 8-of-18 passing. He added 102 yards rushing on 15 carries.

The Illini (2-6) haven’t had a winning season since 2011. They’ll look to change that with Bret Bielema, who signed a six-year deal on Saturday to replace Lovie Smith. Offensive coordinator Rod Smith was elevated to interim coach for the game.

Bielema attended the game to get an early look at what he’ll have towork with.