Clark sparks Penn State to seventh victory, 48-7

The No. 6 Nittany Lions stayed undefeated by routing Wisconsin.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — With coach Joe Paterno perched in the press box for the second straight week because of a sore hip, Daryll Clark (Ursuline High) threw for a touchdown and ran for two more as No. 6 Penn State dismantled Wisconsin 48-7 Saturday night.

Cornerback Lydell Sargeant had two interceptions — off of two different Wisconsin quarterbacks — and Derrick Williams scored again in the return game as the Nittany Lions (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) made another strong statement asserting their place among the nation’s top teams.

It is Penn State’s 11th 7-0 start under Paterno and first since 1999. The Nittany Lions also won back-to-back Big Ten road games for the first time since ’99.

It was the second straight home loss and most lopsided loss since 1989 for Wisconsin (3-3, 0-3), which opened conference play with three losses for the first time since 2002 — a dismal start for a team considered a potential conference title contender going into the season.

A major letdown in a high-profile game is nothing new for Wisconsin these days, having blown chances to beat Michigan and Ohio State in the past two weeks.

The collapse just came a little earlier this time around.

With the Badgers trailing 17-7 and pinned deep in their own territory just before halftime, quarterback Allan Evridge was sacked and stripped of the ball, sending it scooting across the turf. It was scooped up by middle linebacker Josh Hull and Penn State took possession at the 16.

Wisconsin cornerback Allen Langford then was called for pass interference, and Clark scored on first-and-goal from the 2 to put Penn State ahead 24-7 at halftime.

Clark carved up the Badgers’ defense on the first drive of the second half, then scored on a 4-yard scramble. Clark took to the air again on Penn State’s next possession, throwing a 44-yard pass to wide-open Deon Butler to go ahead 38-7.

At least the Badgers had their marching band back this week. The band was suspended for last week’s loss to Ohio State in connection with a hazing scandal.

Wisconsin’s defense held up fairly well in the first quarter, allowing only a field goal despite spending most of their time on the field as the Wisconsin offense managed one first down.

The Nittany Lions then scored their first touchdown early in the second quarter as Clark absorbed a big hit to make an even bigger play.