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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 1:04 p.m., Saturday, September 29, 2007

CFB: Turnovers key to Illinois upset of No. 21 Penn St

By David Mercer
Associated Press

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It's been six long 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 today 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.

"Right now, I don't want to say we've turned it around — we haven't turned it around — but we've made some progress," Zook said.

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. "We just didn't take advantage of some chances."