CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois cornerbacks Eugene Wilson and Christian Morton were talking about getting an interception before Saturday's game with Penn State. Wilson said he had a feeling that he was going to get one against the Nittany Lions.

Little did Wilson know he was going to have a career-high three picks, two from passes by backup quarterback Matt Senneca. The junior also picked off a pass from Tony Johnson on a failed trick play by the wide receiver to hit Senneca downfield. But Wilson wasn't the only one with a pick. Morton also had an interception that finalized the Illini win in the final minutes as Senneca tried to drive the Lions down field for a winning touchdown.

But it was Wilson's day. The Merrillville, Ind., native had three interceptions and shut down Penn State's top receiver, Bryant Johnson. Wilson and Morton totaled four interceptions and shut down the Lions' passing game. Instead of just talking about picking off passes, the two Illini cornerbacks went out Saturday and did it.

"He's a great competitor and a great athlete to go along with it," Illinois coach Ron Turner said of Wilson. "He plays his tail off."

Wilson was the first Illini cornerback to get three interceptions since 1995 when Duane Lyle accomplished the feat against East Carolina. But with the Johnson's — Bryant and Tony — and the success the two Lion receivers have had in recent games, even Wilson didn't expect that kind of performance.

Wilson said containing the Lions' receivers was his goal. The cornerback said the secondary's confidence was the reason they were successful against Senneca and the Lions offense.

"I was hoping to get at least one today," he said. "This has to be my best game ever. I was so focused on my receiver."

Not only did Wilson cause havoc for Senneca, who replaced injured freshman quarterback Zack Mills in the second quarter, he frustrated the Johnsons all game. Bryant and Tony Johnson had four catches combined. Although some balls were out of their reach, both also dropped passes.

The only receiving touchdown of the game for Penn State was when Tony Johnson caught a pass from tailback Eric McCoo on a trick play in the second quarter that went for 63 yards.

Senior safety Muhammad Abdullah, who was in on 10 tackles for the Illini, said the Illinois secondary has had success because they take advantage of two things: confidence and fun. Whether it's Wilson or Morton getting an interception or Abdullah contributing with tackling, every member of the Illinois team pride themselves in being the best in the conference. That confident swagger coupled with constantly having fun on the field has translated into being in a tie for the lead in the Big Ten with Michigan, the only team Illinois has lost to all season.

"We surely think we can beat anybody," Abdullah said. "We just go out there and do our jobs. Everybody knows Eugene can play. It was just his day."