Illinois upsets Penn St.

Anthony Morelli was
intercepted three times.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — It’s been six years since Illinois had a victory like this to celebrate and so much to be excited about.

Freshman Rejus Benn scored two touchdowns, including a 90-yard kickoff return, and the Illini defense intercepted Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli three times Saturday in a 27-20 victory over No. 21 Penn State.

Illinois hadn’t beaten Penn State or any ranked team since 2001, when the Illini went to the Sugar Bowl.

The program has been a wreck since, with five straight losing seasons, but third-year coach Ron Zook appears to have the Illini moving in the right direction.

Illinois (4-1) is 2-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1991.

Benn, the prize catch in Zook’s stellar recruiting class, had six receptions for 84 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown that gave Illinois a 21-10 lead.

Benn caught the short ball over the middle and ran by four would-be tacklers on his way to the end zone.

“I’m catching the ball and saying to myself, ‘I will not be denied,’ ” Benn said.

Penn State (3-2, 0-2) lost its second straight game and has upcoming games against Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio State.

“I’m not really pleased with anything,” Penn State coach Joe Paterno said.

Turnovers

Morelli, who didn’t talk to reporters after the game, completed 21 of 38 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown. He was picked off by linebacker J Leman and defensive backs Vontae Davis and Kevin Mitchell.

The interceptions and a fourth-quarter fumble by the quarterback all came deep in Illini territory, each ending a drive that could’ve tied the game or taken the lead.

“I’m surprised we didn’t pull it out,” Penn State cornerback Justin King said.

The Illini led 21-17 at half on Benn’s two touchdowns and a TD run by Rashard Mendenhall.

From that point Illinois struggled to move the ball, settling for a pair of second-half field goals by Jason Reda.

A combination of Illinois turnovers and special teams mistakes gave Penn State the ball four times in Illini territory in the second half.

Only one of those drives led to points, a 20-yard Kevin Kelly field goal with just over six minutes left in the third quarter that made the score 24-20.

The rest ended with turnovers.