College football media lost their minds watching Penn State-Illinois go to 9 overtimes
By Ethan Lee
The Penn State Nittany Lions lost to the Illinois Fighting Illini in one of the weirdest ways possible.
No game should ever go into nine overtimes and somehow that’s what happened when the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions fell, losing by a score of 20-18 against the unranked Illinois Fighting Illini.
Of course, the NCAA’s new overtime rules helped make this disaster possible.
Over the offseason, the NCAA instituted rules that included forcing both teams involved to try to go for two-point conversions following the third overtime period. And neither Penn State or Illinois were able to do that consistently.
Thus the two teams went into nine overtimes. The game set a record for the most overtimes in a single game.
Penn State and Illinois are competing in the weirdest overtime ever
The Nittany Lions and Fighting Illini have been battling each other with stout defenses and incredibly horrifying offenses. As a result, Penn State and Illinois ended up in a seemingly never-ending game.
And this game is just brutal to watch.
Hahahahaha oh my god this Illinois-Penn State game is peak #B1G
— Morgan Moriarty (@Morgan_Moriarty) October 23, 2021
This is the dumbest possible way to decide a football game. Not a complaint. Just a statement of fact.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 23, 2021
just an incredible Big Ten overtime, with each team getting two possessions from the 25 and neither of them getting a TD. both would've punted if they could
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) October 23, 2021
It is not a benefit for us to have to watch more of this if he makes the kick
— Michael Felder (@InTheBleachers) October 23, 2021
Oh the humanity, it’s over:
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 23, 2021
Illinois beats Penn State 20-18 in 9 OTs
Score in OTs
Illinois 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
Penn State 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Breaking news: NCAA rules that starting in 9th OT, defenses are not allowed on the field (Still 50/50 shot Penn State or Illinois will be able to score)
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 23, 2021
This game has been dragging on forever and neither team involved seems capable of putting an end to it or everyone’s misery.
That overtime in Penn State was like a soccer team winning on PKs in the 6th round after 10 straight misses.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) October 23, 2021
For those who don’t know, Kris was on the sidelines for LSU/A&M 7 OT game & today’s 9 OT game between Penn State & Illinois #QueenOfTheOT https://t.co/lfJfNB8Gmr
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) October 23, 2021
Watching Penn State-Illinois has been exhausting
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) October 23, 2021
Penn State and Illinois are headed for one of those classic, eight-OT games. But all the scores will be field goals. #BigTen
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) October 23, 2021
Freaking hate the overtime rule to go to two point conversations after two OTs. That’s a gimmick, not football
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) October 23, 2021
This game is illustrating why it should just be a tie after two OTs. there is no "better" team in this game.
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 23, 2021
Of course, Illinois was able to eventually beat Penn State, coming out on top 20-18 after nine overtimes. But this game could have and should have, been over sooner.
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