Penn State 39, Illinois 0: Five things we learned

Penn State entered the day allowing 3.8 yards per carry, and Illinois all but abandoned the run in the first half. The Illini do run the ball on just 42 percent of their plays, among the 10 lowest in the country, but had no chance to get things going Saturday.

The Nittany Lions allowed 37 yards rushing on 27 carries, and had five sacks. Carl Nassib is a half sack from breaking Penn State's single-season record of 15, and has recorded at least one in all nine games this season.

MORE: SN's top 50 players midseason includes Nassib

Last week against Maryland, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg completed 13 passes for 315 yards because he relied heavily on the deep ball. Against Illinois, he did the opposite.

The junior played his best game of the season, completing 21-of-29 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown and looked more than comfortable in the pocket.

Eight different Penn State players caught passes, led by Chris Godwin, who had seven for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Hackenberg has been under fire all season, both from opposing linemen and critics who believe his struggles in 2015 knock his draft stock down several rounds. Saturday, he did his best to change that notion.

MORE: SN's 2016 NFL mock draft

The true freshman has made a major impact in 2015, and did so again Saturday. Just look at him hurdle everything.

Barkley finished with 84 yards and a score on 20 carries. He added three catches for 58 yards. On the season, Barkley now has 716 yards on 108 carries, good for 6.6 per touch, with five touchdowns over just six full games.

The Whitehall, Pa., native flashed pass-catching ability for the first time, as well. He entered Saturday with one catch for 22 yards.

MORE: Best Big Ten running backs since 2000

Joey Julius stole our hearts in Week 1, but has since struggled and created big question marks around Penn State's special teams unit.

The freshman had two extra points blocked in the first quarter and sailed a kickoff out of bounds. Julius entered the day 10 of 12 in field goals and 20 of 22 in extra points.

Tyler Davis replaced him and hit both field goals, including one from 42 yards out. He converted all three extra points.

MORE: Meet Joe Julius, Penn State's 259-pound kicker

It was Illinois. But top to bottom, Penn State put together its best effort of 2015 and (probably) of Franklin's tenure.

The Illini had 167 yards on 70 plays, including a mere 29 yards in the second half. They gained 2.4 yards per play and mustered up just 2.95 yards per pass attempt.

Penn State did have two turnovers, both fumbles, but Hackenberg was the right combination of efficient and explosive. Saquan Barkley added 142 total yards and a touchdown. Eight different players caught passes.

Things haven't been perfect, but Saturday clinched a .500 or better Big Ten record in three of four post-sanctionseasons. That's something to feel good about for the Nittany Lions.