STATE COLLEGE — There’s certain symmetry to Penn State’s success this season. No exotic passing attack in Happy Valley — just a strong defense, potent running game and a penchant for pulling out wins down the stretch.

How fitting: Joe Paterno’s team is going old school.

“We’ve done some things that have been tough. We’re not killing people. We’re not running over them or anything like that,” the 84-year-old Paterno said after Saturday’s dramatic 10-7 win over Illinois. “We’ve had to struggle.”

Somehow, though, the Nittany Lions (8-1, 5-0 Big Ten) are finding ways to win. They’re also the last undefeated team in Big Ten play with a surprising two-game lead in the loss column in the Leaders Division over Ohio State, Purdue and reeling Wisconsin.

Penn State moved up five spots in the AP Top 25 poll released Sunday to No. 16.

What counts for shaking it up this year in Happy Valley? A “new” uniform in which the white trim was removed from the jersey to create a solid blue uniform.

The Illini (6-3, 2-3) had peaked at No. 16 before an October swoon. Saturday at snowy Beaver Stadium, coach Ron Zook’s team again couldn’t muster enough offense to support a defense that held firm until 1:08 left, when Penn State’s Silas Redd barreled into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown and a 10-7 lead. With 137 rushing yards, Redd eclipsed 1,000 for the season.