Penn State vs. Illinois: Fights Illini attempted a 52-yard drop from 18 yards

Uh, that was an interesting decision from Illinois head coach Lovie Smith. In the fourth quarter at home against No. 10 Penn State, the Fighting Illini fell to 42-24 against the Nittany Lions with 10:34.

On the 4th and 10th, Smith had to make a decision – try the first goal, or attempt a 52-yard throw that would make it a two-game match. He chose to try for the goal on the pitch and it worked …

… wide left. Early in the game, Chase McLaughlin, Illinois's top bootmaker, has scored 7 of 8 goals in the league so far this season.

Unsurprisingly, many people wondered why this goal on the pitch had been attempted in the first place, given the margin of scoring and time remaining in the game.

On the one hand, of course, that would make it a 15-point game, and the 4th and the 10th are certainly not easy to get. But keep in mind that Illinois had been in this match for three full quarters – the Fighting Illini led 21-14 in the second quarter, and took a 24-21 lead in the third.

Of course, that was before Penn State scored three touchdowns, including one in six to reverse the game, but scoring the goal on the pitch was certainly an interesting decision.

Penn State ended up winning 63-24 at the end, so who knows if this goal on the field would have really made the difference, but you never know. Another interesting decision.