Maybe it only seems this way to me, but every time you see a piece about changing our clocks back an hour when fall rolls around, you’ll also see a photo of an old-timey alarm clock with the bells on top sitting out in a pile of leaves in a forest or woods someplace.

The photo above is exactly what I’m talking about.

It’s like we all decide at some point during the summer to throw our clocks out into the wilderness, then, a few months later, remember what we’ve done and go pick the clock up out of the pile of leaves and bring it back inside until it’s time to spring our clocks forward.

Maybe I’m reading a bit too much into the clock-changing imagery.

Everyone Really Seems To Want To Stop Changing Clocks Twice A Year, And We Also Really Seem To Want The Powers-That-Decide-These-Things To Just Pick One Time And Stick To It.

Despite all the talk about doing away with clock-changing twice a year in the United States, lawmakers in this state and throughout the country just can’t seem to get their act together and get rid of something that a majority of Illinoisans want to see go away once and for all.

There have been several efforts at making a change, but they’ve all failed and left us with no choice but to keep rolling with this spring forward/fall back cycle we’re currently trapped in.

In 2022, The U.S. Senate Took A Vote And Unanimously Passed A Bill That Would Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

So why has nothing changed? Well, for one, this was done by voice-vote, and has not been taken up by the House of Representatives. Also, the current administration has not actually articulated a stance on the topic to begin with.

Then there’s the problem of picking the wrong method of time-keeping to begin with. After the vote in favor of permanent Daylight Saving Time, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine issued a statement that praised the idea of eliminating time changes, but lamented the fact that the Senate chose the wrong one to keep around:

The AASM position statement also indicates that “current evidence best supports the adoption of year-round standard time, which aligns best with human circadian biology and provides distinct benefits for public health and safety.” The statement was endorsed by more than 20 medical, scientific, and civic organizations, including the American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National PTA, National Safety Council, Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, and World Sleep Society.

While Everyone Works That Problem Out (Hopefully Within Our Lifetimes), Here’s When Illinoisans Should Turn Those Clocks Back

I wanted to give you a little heads-up time now, so you won’t find yourself scrambling later to change your clocks because you keep showing up early to everything.

Before 2005, clocks were to be turned forward on the first Sunday in April, then turned back again on the last Sunday in October.

Now, we “spring ahead” on the second Sunday in March, and “fall back” on the first Sunday in November. So, on Saturday November 2nd, turn your clocks back an hour before you call it a night so you’ll be all set when the time change happens at 2am on Sunday, November 3rd.

During its 4-0 start to the season, Illinois averaged 157 rushing yards per game. Against Penn State on Saturday, the Fighting Illini mustered just 34. Averaging 1.1 yards per rushing attempt, Illinois was forced to be one-dimensional as it looked to rally in the second half. That played right into the hands of the Penn State defense.  

“They rushed for 34 yards,” Penn State coach James Franklin said after his team’s 21-7 victory at Beaver Stadium. “And it’s not just 34 yards. That is a team that is committed to running the football, … and when you’re able to take somebody and force them out of the style of play that they want to play, then usually good things happen.”

With quarterback Luke Altmyer forced to throw it, Penn State’s pass rush went to town. The Nittany Lions racked up five of their seven sacks as part of a second-half shutout. Penn State held Illinois to just 59 total yards and four first downs in the second half, and the Illini ran only five offensive plays in the third quarter. Altmyer also threw his first interception of the season and lost a fumble, forced by Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter as the game’s exclamation point. 

“When we play at that level, we’re a top-two defense,” Penn State safety Jaylen Reed said. “There was great pride in me being a leader in that defense and us going out and playing like that.” 

A key turning point in the game was a second-quarter, 1st-and-goal situation for Illinois from the 2-yard line. On first down, a high snap led to a loss of 9 yards. On the next play, Altmyer lost 3 yards on a quarterback keeper. On third down, Altmyer was called for intentional grounding, and there was a false start on the next play. 

By fourth down, Illinois had a field-goal try from the 27-yard line, which kicker David Olano hooked wide. The play kept the game tied 7-7 and was the Fighting Illini’s last great scoring opportunity.  From that 1st-and-goal play, Illinois produced 39 yards of total offense the remainder of the game.

“On the goal line definitely is like a chip on our shoulder,” linebacker Kobe King said. “We don’t want anybody to run the ball, but if we’re on the goal line backed up, they can get in the end zone, so that’s how we carry and how we approach it every time.”

The last time Illinois came to Beaver Stadium, the result was much different. The Fighting Illini ran for 357 yards and upset Penn State in nine overtimes. King said the 2021 game stuck in the back of the Nittany Lions’ minds, and they wanted to make sure the same rushing dominance wouldn’t happen again. 

“The key was doing our job and upholding the standard as a defense,” King said. “We know what they did to us my freshman year in 2021, how many yards they ran on us. We didn’t want that to happen again.” 

That’s not to say things were perfect for Penn State’s defense. Penalties continued to be an issue, the team allowed its second opening-drive touchdown of the season and Illinois converted a 3rd-and-21. Franklin said the team would work on those issues, but overall he was very pleased with Saturday night’s victory. 

“I’m very proud of our defense and proud of Tom Allen and the defensive staff,” Franklin said. “When you hold people to seven points and 34 rushing yards against a Big Ten opponent, you give yourself a chance to win a lot of games.”

More Penn State Football

Final takeaways from Penn State’s win over Illinois

What they said after the Penn State-Illinois game

The Penn State report card: Illinois edition

Sam Woloson has covered Penn State Athletics for the past three years and is currently the managing editor of The Daily Collegian. His work has also appeared in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Huntingdon Daily News and Rivals. Follow him on X @sam_woloson

Illinois coach Bret Bielema still has his team’s back.

Even after the loss to No. 9 Penn State, Bielema remains confident in the group. The Illini lost 21-7 but had plenty chances to change the outcome.

“I felt on the plane ride coming over I thought we had a good football team,” Bielema said. “I just told them we feel about where we’re at but we can’t do the [bad] things.” 

Among the biggest disappointments was a drive that started with 1-and-goal at the 2 that ended with a missed field goal. Quarterback Luke Altmyer was also sacked six times and committed his first turnover of the season.

Still, BIelema shouldered some of the blame.

“For me as a head coach, it starts with me,” Bielema said. “We can’t do the things that cause us to fail … We can’t beat the No. 9 in the country with first and goal at the 2 and come away with zero points. It just doesn’t add up.” 

The Illini knew they were so close to continuing a strong start to the season.

They played well enough to win but blew too many opportunities. The fact they felt they could have won makes it more disappointing.

“We didn’t go enough to win the game, so obviously pissed off,” linebacker Dylan Rosiek said. “I think we got to go in there, look at ourselves going into this bye week and figure it out.” 

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Illinois Fighting Illini On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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