May 4, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State's Homecoming clash with Illinois is set for a 12:00 p.m. kick on Oct. 9 in Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions' third announced start time for the 2010 season.
The Big Ten Network, ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 will televise the contest with the Fighting Illini, with an announcement on the televising network likely 12 days before the game.
The Nittany Lions' Oct. 2 contest at Iowa and Oct. 30 home game with Michigan had previously been announced for 8:00 p.m. kicks and will air on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC.
Penn State leads the series with Illinois, 14-3, posting a 6-0 mark in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions won 35-17 last year and 38-24 in Beaver Stadium in 2008.
Penn State owns an all-time Homecoming record of 65-20-5, winning 39 of 44 games under Coach Joe Paterno. The Fighting Illini have been the Nittany Lions' Homecoming foe twice before, in 2000 (PSU, 39-25) and 2006 (PSU, 26-12).
Future Penn State contests may be selected by the networks under the six and 12-day provisions of their contracts with the Big Ten Conference.
Penn State is 51-13 (79.7) since the start of the 2005 season, tied for the nation's No. 7 winning percentage over that span. The Nittany Lions earned their second consecutive 11-2 record last season, capped by a win over LSU in the Capital One Bowl, Penn State's fourth bowl victory in the past five seasons. Penn State posted its 23rd final Top 10 ranking under the Hall of Fame coach. The Nittany Lions return 37 letterwinners for the 2010 season, including 13 starters (7 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 11 players that have starting experience. Penn State opens the season Sept. 4 vs. Youngstown State in Beaver Stadium and visits 2009 national champion Alabama on Sept. 11.
Penn State Football will hold its 36th annual summer camps in June. The camps feature two offense / defense skills and fundamentals camps for athletes entering 8th-12th grade in the fall, to be held June 20-23 and June 27-30. A "seniors only" camp will be held June 25-26, Penn State's popular 7-on-7 team passing camp will be held June 18-19 and a placekicking camp is June 4-5.
For more information on the Penn State Football Camps, please visit: www.pennstatefootballcamps.com or call the Penn State sports camps office at 814-865-0561.
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