Penn State-Illinois contest set for noon kick on ESPN2

University Park, Pa. -- ESPN2 will nationally televise the Penn State-Illinois football game in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 21 at noon ET.

The sold out contest is Penn State's 87th Homecoming game. The Nittany Lions are 61-20-5 all-time on Homecoming, including a 35-5 record under Coach Joe Paterno.

The clash with the Fighting Illini (2-4, 1-2) is Penn State's (4-2, 2-1) eighth announced TV appearance of the season. This Saturday's showdown with No. 4 Michigan in Beaver Stadium will be seen by most of the nation on ABC at 8 p.m.

The Nittany Lions' season opener with Akron aired on ESPN2, the Notre Dame game was on NBC, the Youngstown State game was an ESPNU national telecast, the Ohio State and Northwestern games aired on ABC and last Saturday's 28-27 overtime win at Minnesota was televised by ESPN Regional.

The Nittany Lions have appeared on television in 144 of their last 146 games.

All Penn State football games can be heard on the Penn State Sports Network and http://www.GoPSUsports.com online, with selected games available on XM Satellite Radio.

Penn State leads the series with Illinois, 11-2, posting a 63-10 victory in Champaign last year. The Fighting Illini will be playing in State College for the first time since 2002.

Illinois hosts Ohio on Saturday before the contest with the Nittany Lions.

Future Penn State contests may be selected by the networks under the six and 12-day provisions of their contracts with the Big Ten.

All of Penn State's Big Ten home games are sold out. A limited number of tickets are available for the Nov. 11 contest with Temple. Tickets can be purchased or at http://www.GoPSUsports.com or by calling 814-865-5555 or 800-863-3336 weekdays from 8 a.m-5 p.m.

Tickets also can be purchased at the Bryce Jordan Ticket Center weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.