Penn State took advantage of a prime-time Nationally televised game to host some big-name recruits.

When Penn State coach James Franklin recruited La Salle College high school standout Abdul Carter, Franklin wanted Carter to be a defensive end. Carter, a four-star recruit, committed to Penn State, but he and his dad resisted a position change from linebacker.

Penn State pulled away late in Saturday’s matchup to secure a two-score victory over the Illini, winning 21-7 and moving to 4-0 on the season. Illinois, which was Penn State’s first ranked opponent of the season,

Penn State's unique stretch includes consecutive game against UCLA and USC. The ninth-ranked Nittany Lions (4-0) will host UCLA at noon ET Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Penn State then seeks to end a three-game losing streak to USC, which includes two appearances in the Rose Bowl. In fact, Penn State has never beaten USC in California.

The Trojans and Lions haven't met since the conclusion of the 2016 season, when they were arguably the hottest teams in college football. Sure enough, that third Rose Bowl meeting was the highest-scoring one ever, if not the wildest and most riveting. USC kicked a field goal on the final play to win, 52-49.

Penn State’s October 12 road matchup against USC will kick off at 3:30pm on CBS, Penn State Athletics announced this afternoon: With the Ohio State-Oregon matchup set for prime time, the 3:30 window was the logical choice here.