Clark throws 3 TDs in Penn State win

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Point guard-turned-Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus got a good look at how to run an offense. Penn State’s own signal-caller, Daryll Clark, and do-it-all tailback Evan Royster provided the lesson.

Clark threw for 240 yards and three scores, Royster had two touchdowns and the No. 7 Nittany Lions contained the pesky Paulus in a 28-7 win Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

Paulus, the former Duke basketball player, performed relatively well for a second straight week, especially for someone who hadn’t played competitively on the gridiron since he was a high school star in 2004.

He finished 14 of 20 for 105 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, both of which came on tipped balls. Alternating at quarterback with backup Ryan Nassib, Paulus threw mostly short, quick passes to counter Penn State’s pressure.

“This is his first crack for him, second game ever,” Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. “Impressive kid, a lot of poise.”

Still, the Nittany Lions’ overall talent overwhelmed the Orange, even with Penn State playing choppy ball for a second straight week. Coach Joe Paterno’s offense specifically struggled in the running game, especially on short yardage in the red zone.

“We’ve played well enough to win two games, period, that’s all I know,” Paterno said, “and we got to get better.”

Unfortunately for the Orange, Penn State’s passing game was just fine.

In motion out of the backfield, Royster turned a short throw into a 49-yard touchdown on the game’s opening drive, stutter-stepping around a safety to pull away into the end zone. Penn State is trying to throw a new wrinkle in the offense by moving Royster all over the field.

Royster added a 12-yard TD run to give the Nittany Lions a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. He finished with 41 yards rushing on 12 carries, and 61 yards receiving.

“Royster can do it all,” said Paterno, who improved to 23-4 against Syracuse since 1966, when he became head coach. “He’s a heck of an athlete.”

Wide receiver Graham Zug added career-highs of six catches and 79 yards, including a 20-yard scoring strike from Daryll Clark to give Penn State a three-touchdown lead in the third quarter.

More than enough cushion for the Nittany Lions’ active defense.

Jared Odrick led the push from the front four with six tackles and a half-sack. Linebacker Sean Lee had a game-high 13 tackles, and leveled any tailbacks out of the flat for his best performance since returning from a knee injury that kept him out last season.

Orange coach Doug Marrone tried to throw off Penn State by alternating quarterbacks, but it didn’t seem to work — especially in a first half in which the Orange managed just four first downs.