Illinois’ coaching staff will be led by offensive coordinator Rod Smith when the Illini (2-5) visit Beaver Stadium on Saturday. Penn State Coach James Franklin is expecting a fired-up group after head coach Lovie Smith was let go on Sunday following four losing seasons.

The Nittany Lions (3-5) have generated their own with three straight wins and have shown promise for the future in the process.

Steadily, a handful of freshmen have risen to help out leading wideout Jahan Dotson and quarterback Sean Clifford on offense. Wideout Parker Washington, running back Keyvone Lee and tight end Brenton Strange have combined for 74 touches for 563 yards and four touchdowns over the last three weeks.

Meanwhile, Penn State’s defense has found its swagger. The Nittany Lions held Rutgers to just 83 rushing yards in a one-sided win and surrendered just 69 to spark a comeback win against Michigan State last week.

Illinois has lost two games in a row. Its offense has been inconsistent and its defense has allowed more than 424 total yards each of the last two weeks.

Rod Smith, who’s in his third year with Illinois, was still reeling from his boss’s firing earlier in the week when he met with reporters.

Illinois will also be without leading wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe, who declared for the NFL draft on Thursday. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior had a year of eligibility remaining and finishes his Illini career with 55 catches for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the team with 22 catches for 297 yards and three touchdowns this season.