BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - Williams puts on a show in Lions win

September 27, 2008

The Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Derrick Williams dazzled in one of the best performances Penn State football has ever produced.

The speedy senior caught a touchdown pass, ran for a TD and returned a kick 94 yards for another score as the 12th-ranked Nittany Lions stayed unbeaten with a 38-24 win Saturday night over No. 22 Illinois.

It was the first time that touchdown trifecta had been accomplished by a Penn State player in the same game in coach Joe Paterno's 43 seasons as head coach.

"This is the first time he's really had a chance to break out," Paterno said. "Derrick's been in tough games and made big plays ... He's a heck of an athlete."

Save for a few brave Illinois fans adorned in bright orange, Beaver Stadium was packed with fans dressed almost entirely in white.

The "White House" is what Penn State calls it, and afterward the crowd hooted and hollered as if Paterno had just won a presidential election. Actually, it was just Paterno's 377th career win, allowing him to remain one ahead of Florida State's Bobby Bowden, whose Seminoles defeted Colorado earlier Saturday.

Penn State (5-0, 1-0) rolled to four nonconference victories by easy margins, lighting up the scoreboard like a pinball machine. This time, they faced an offense that could keep pace - though Illinois (2-2, 0-1) was held back by a bunch of mistakes.

Arrelious Benn caught touchdown passes of 54 and 33 yards from Juice Williams who finished 13-of-24 passing for 183 yards. But Williams also threw an interception that foiled one drive.

Matt Eller missed a 33-yard field goal after Illinois ran the ball down the field against what had been a stout Penn State rush defense. Daniel Dufrene ran for 96 yards on 14 carries, but fumbled with less than nine minutes left in the game.

Eller hit a 42-yard field goal to pull Illinois within 24-17 before Derrick Williams pulled off a crowd-pleaser, taking the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown to put the Nittany Lions ahead by 14.

"I saw a highway with a big truck that could go through it," he said. "The guys up front did a good job blocking."

Evan Royster had 19 carries for 139 yards rushing, and Williams finished with six catches for 75 yards, and six carries for 33 yards.

Barely touched on the return, Williams cut back at the 20 and outran Illinois' last defender, Nate Bussey into the end zone as a light drizzle fell on the field. Arm extended, he pointed a finger in front of him as he crossed the goal line, whipping the 109,000 fans packed into Beaver Stadium into a frenzy.

Juice Williams connected with a wide-open Benn for a 54-yard touchdown catch to draw Illinois within 31-24 with 12:48 left in the game.

Clark then connected with tight end Andrew Quarless for 17-yard touchdown to put the Nittany Lions ahead 38-24 before Dufrene's fumble. Illinois dropped to 0-6 at Happy Valley.

Clark finished 14-of-20 passing for 181 yards and two TDs.

The Nittany Lions opened the season with five straight victories for the first time since 2005 - the last time Penn State won the Big Ten.

Illinois had it's chances, but often hurt itself.

One second-quarter drive was snuffed out by two holding penalties, while another drive ended after a poor pass by Juice Williams was intercepted by diving safety Anthony Scirrotto.

Penn State took the lead in between the two Illinois hiccups, with Clark and Derrick Williams coolly leading the way.

Derrick's play was especially important given that Penn State played without leading receiver Jordan Norwood, who stayed on the sideline because of a strained hamstring.

Clark opened the drive with a 24-yard strike down the right sideline to Deon Butler to the Illinois 33. He hit Royster on a screen that turned into a 16-yard gain to the Illini 5 before Williams scooted into the end zone on an end-around to give the Nittany Lions a 21-14 advantage in the second quarter.

On a weekend full of upsets, including losses by Top 10 teams Southern California, Georgia, Florida and Wisconsin, Penn State is poised to make a jump in the polls.

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