Biggest test

STATE COLLEGE – That’s what No. 12 Penn State faces tonight when it takes on No. 22 Illinois in both team’s Big Ten opener

The Nittany Lions, who won their first four games by a combined score of 211-40, can’t afford to overlook the Fighting Illini the way USC did with Oregon State on Thursday and Florida did with Mississippi today. Joe Paterno surely has been hammering that point home all week and with tonight’s kickoff not slated until 8 p.m. I’m sure he continued after the Gators blew a 10-point halftime lead.

I like Penn State tonight, but it will be closer than the spread of 15.5. I just don’t see how Illinois is going to stop the Lions’ potent offense especially after it got torched by Missouri, whose offense is close, but not as good as Penn State’s, in its season opener.

Here are a few things to keep your eyes on tonight:

- Daryll Clark gets his first chance to officially introduce himself to the nation. Tonight’s game is in prime time and will give the rest of the college football world a chance to watch Penn State’s multi-dimensional quarterback. Clark hasn’t been as good the last two games as he was in the first two, but he still played plenty well enough for the Nittany Lions to win both with ease. Clark has a confidence about him reminiscent of Michael Robinson, whom he physically resembles. Tonight should be Clark’s coming-out party.

- Penn State’s kickoff coverage team has to be better against Illinois’ Arrelious Benn, who returned a kickoff for a score and caught a touchdown pass in the Fighting Illini’s 27-20 victory over the Nittany Lions in Champaign last year. After three standout performances to start the season, the Nittany Lions’ kickoff coverage unit played poorly in last week’s 45-3 victory over Temple. Paterno said there were some personnel problems and credited the Owls and returner Travis Shelton for the job they did. That can’t happen again tonight.

- Derrick Williams has been quiet so far this season. One of the Nittany Lions’ captains, Williams returned a kickoff for a score in the season-opening victory over Coastal Carolina, but he has just eight catches for 113 yards and seven carries for 45 yards in the first four games. Last week was Deon Butler’s breakout game and my hunch is it’s Williams’ turn tonight.

- What will the return of Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma do for Penn State’s defense? It will definitely be a welcome addition as far as depth goes and there’s no question both are very good football players. Reports throughout the week of practice said the coaching staff was quite pleased and surprised with how good of shape Evans and Koroma were in despite missing the last three weeks due to a suspension. Neither will start and may not play until the second quarter, but look for both to make their presence felt shortly after getting on the field.

- I’ve been saying all season that Aaron Maybin is Penn State’s best pass rusher and that includes Evans, a preseason All-American pick by more than one publication. But I’ve been hesitant to label Maybin a star until he goes against a good left tackle and he’ll get that chance tonight. Xavier Fulton is one of the best in the Big Ten and has the size and athleticism Maybin hasn’t faced while racking up a team-high six sacks.

There are a few things to chew on. I’ll be back at halftime with my thoughts on the first 30 minutes of play.