They knew it was on when Penn State reached the tunnel to Phil Collins’. On the air tonight.

It’s exactly the kind of song that a no-contact program that peaked in the 1980s would think was intimidating other people.

“This is the best environment in all of sports.” James Franklin may live to hear those words after he is fired for winning “only” 9-10 games a season and has to train in a different environment.

But on Saturday night, the Nittany Lions defense came out with malicious intent. After a dominant first drive, the Illinois offense was anemic at best for the remainder of the game.

Make no mistake. Tom Allen was the MVP of this game. Yes, that Tom Allen. The guy who had a great year at Indiana and then remembered he was…coaching Indiana.

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Additionally, Penn State played football with impunity. They dominated the Illini front with two backs. Kaytron Allen managed 102 yards while Nicholas Singleton fell just 94 yards short.

After the game, James Franklin said he couldn’t imagine a better defensive pairing anywhere in the country. Thank you for this sophisticated, penetrating insight, Coach.

After the first series it was complete dominance. Drew Allar didn’t have to dominate the ball throw. Penn State has used the damn Wildcat multiple times. Their superstar tight end Ty Warren, the next supporting player to Clay Matthews, lined up with the shotgun and took snaps. The kid looked like East Dillon Lions two-way threat forward Luke Cafferty Friday Night Lights.

But there were neither clear eyes nor full hearts. And the Illini could certainly lose.

Penn State played this game with reckless aggression.

If the Lions had lost, James Franklin would be on the fast track.

But back to the actual game. Abdul Carter is a threat. He was the best player on the field. He caused havoc in several places. Allen used his greatest weapon in several unblockable plans. It was a masterful job.

And if your top two running backs look like Saquon Barkley and Blair Thomas, you’ll win.

Illinois “didn’t lose that much.” And some will call that a “moral victory.” Illinois “played hard against them.” They “played hard in defeat.”

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Tell Gabe Jacas that his craftsmanship was just enough for a respectable performance. Tell Pat Bryant to go on the field and “hope for the best.” Tell Aaron Henry that “sticking around” is a noble and admirable goal.

There are levels for that. And sure, Illinois is at a relatively high level. But on Saturday, James Franklin’s crew played big bench, small bench.

If Illinois goes 1-2 in their next three games, they will still be in prime position to advance to a bowl game and complete a successful season. Basically, beat a Purdue team that’s on its way to relegation to the Horizon League and the situation still looks positive.

The Illini offense showed great improvement against Nebraska. Nebraska is certainly not Penn State. And while both fan bases would be happy to return to 1990 in the Delorean, Penn State hit Illinois with the ferocity of generations past.

James Franklin’s troupe stuck a skin to the wall. They beat a ranked team. They beat Illinois with more determination than they beat Bowling Effing Green. Drew Allar didn’t turn it over, but Luke Altmyer did (finally). Penn State only has his number.

In addition to recruiting, the bye week should be a reminder that the opportunities are wonderful, but the execution needs to evolve to compete with the top quarter of the conference.

The punishments killed. Penn State tried to give this game back to Illinois with missteps and inexplicable plays. But Illinois couldn’t claw its way back from the jaws of defeat like it did against Kansas and Nebraska.

As the Illini stew in the misery of defeat on the big stage, they are reminded by an extremely passionate group of coaches that there are no moral victories. There are victories. There are losses. There is joy. There is misery. And your next game features Ryan Walters.

Act accordingly.