COLUMBUS, Ohio — You know the feeling.

You're taking one of those multiple choice tests and it seems like every answer is correct. Is it all of the above? Is it choice b and c only?

The Penn State offense knows that frustrated feeling all too well. They've studied hard in the offseason. They know they have the personnel to get the job done.

They're just not sure how to make it happen.

After the Nittany Lions' 45-6 loss to Ohio State Saturday at Ohio Stadium, the need for the answers was more prevalent than ever before.

"It was the same problems on a different day," Penn State quarterback Rashard Casey said.

Casey was still scrambling after his pass protection broke down. He was overthrowing passes. Receivers weren't catching his passes. On several plays Ohio State cornerbacks got their hands on his passes.

When Casey was pulled in the third quarter in favor of Matt Senneca, the problems remained. As Senneca dropped back to pass, Brent Johnson knocked the ball free. It was recovered and run into the end zone by Mike Collins.

"When you make mental mistakes," Penn State offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie said, "the other team takes advantage of that and puts points on the board. We have to improve our pass blocking, run blocking and the depth of the pocket."

Lions center Matt Schmitt said execution was a problem --- again. Although it has become a key word in Penn State's camp, proper execution has been sporadic.

"It's frustrating because we want to figure out how to stop it," Schmitt said. "We're excited to play and we want to play. We have a good team and we know we can turn it around."

Against the Buckeyes, Penn State made big plays. Wideout Kenny Watson and tight end Tony Stewart each made huge catches that breathed life into the drives. Tailbacks Omar Easy and Larry Johnson runs of 18 and 16 yards, respectively.

But there was also a multitude of missed opportunities and mistakes. In the first quarter, tailback Eric McCoo was stuffed on a fourth down and one. Casey was intercepted once and sacked three times.

It was hardly the offensive output that was expected after a spring and summer of grueling work. So did Penn State coach Joe Paterno. And like his players, he said the source of the offensive problems was not clear.

"I can't say you're not doing this or not doing that when I don't know," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "We have to play better football. How we play better football, that's what I have to figure out."

And maybe next week, the answers won't be so elusive.