Penn State football will kick off against Illinois at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, on NBC, the program announced Saturday night. The Nittany Lions narrowed down their kickoff time from an afternoon or evening kick, which was announced over the summer.

Penn State’s game against the Fighting Illini will be its first night game of the season. The Nittany Lions have previously faced West Virginia and Bowling Green at noon and will face Kent State at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

After beating Kent State, James Franklin called for “White Out energy” against Illinois, which will serve as Penn State’s first ranked game of the season. Penn State’s actual White Out is set for November 9 against Washington. Illinois will more officially serve as the Homecoming game.

Penn State has played Illinois 27 times, winning 21 of those games. Most recently, the Nittany Lions defeated the Illini on the road in last season’s 30-13 win. The Illini beat Penn State in Beaver Stadium in 2021, taking a historic, nine-overtime game 20-18.