Illinois Football: Winners and Losers in Illini's 10-7 Loss to Penn State

Joe Paterno claimed win No. 409 as Penn State beat Illinois 10-7 Saturday in a Big Ten slug fest.

While Paterno celebrates being the all-time winningest coach in Division I history, Ron Zook and the Illini are suffering a three-game losing streak.

In this game—filled with snow, drama, bad offense and sloppy play— who were the winners and losers for the Illini?

Running back Jason Ford had a solid game for the Illini.

The senior had 24 carries for 100 yards, with one run going 18 yards. That is rather impressive against the nation's second best rush defense.

Ford was able to keep the Illini in the game, as the passing attack struggled all day long.

Senior wide receiver A.J. Jenkins has been the best receiver for the Illini and Big Ten all season.

Against Penn State, Jenkins had his worst game of 2011; the Nittany Lions held him to six catches for 43 yards and no touchdowns.

Penn State does have a dominant defense, but a player of Jenkins' caliber needs to overcome adversity and produce for his team.

Sophomore wide receiver Spencer Harris had his first touchdown of his college career against the Nittany Lions.

Harris scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase late in the third quarter for the game's first score and had another catch for 14 yards.

Harris has 22 catches for 189 yards thus far in 2011 and will likely be heavily counted on next year when wide receiver A.J. Jenkins graduates.

While Penn State has a stellar defense, the Illini quarterbacks had an abysmal day.

Sophomore Nathan Scheelhaase was 9-of-16 for 63 yards, a touchdown and a fumble.

Meanwhile, freshman Reily O'Toole played a few snaps, going 4-of-7 for 31 passing yards and an interception.

Junior cornerback Terry Hawthorne had a solid defensive game against Penn State. 

He had a pass defended and intercepted Penn State junior quarterback Matthew McGloin in the third quarter.

That was Hawthorne's first interception of the year and the third of his career.

The Illini's special teams did not come through.

Senior kicker Derek Dimke missed a 42-yard field goal that hit the right poll as time expired; making that field goal would have sent the game into overtime.

Sophomore placeholder Tim Russell botched a long snap on a field goal attempt and threw an interception to Penn State  junior defensive end Sean Stanley in the second quarter.

In the fourth quarter, freshman punter Justin DuVernois' punt was blocked by Penn State freshman linebacker Brad Bars, setting up the Nittany Lions at the Illini's 31, setting up a crucial Nittany Lions field goal.

Bob Bajek is a writing intern at Bleacher Report. He is also a freelance reporter and can be followed at Patch.com and Twitter.