ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Michigan Daily's cover from the student newspaper's stadium edition said the two teams were "Playing For Pride."

But after the No. 21 Wolverines (7-3, 5-2) prevailed, 33-11 against Penn State, the Nittany Lions (4-7, 3-6) are still playing for that pride while Michigan is now competing for the Big Ten championship.

The Lions don't have much to be proud of after Michigan picked off three passes and shut down their offensive attack on third down and inside the red zone as the Wolverines eased to their fourth consecutive win against Joe Paterno's squad.

"We don't give ourselves a chance to win," Paterno said, who will mentor his team to its worst record since he became coach in 1966 and will have to wait until next season to tie Bear Bryant's all-time major college victory leader mark.

The Lions' first drive was a microcosm of what was to come as their offense, which posted 407 yards but finished with a two-for-14 third-down conversion rate, carried the team downfield. But the Lions could not capitalize as senior Ryan Primanti missed the first of four Penn State kicks that did not make its way through the uprights.

With Michigan quarterback Drew Henson overthrowing receivers, the Wolverines offense struggled except for Anthony Thomas, who capped his last game in Michigan Stadium with 35 carries for 177 yards and one touchdown.

The win and his efforts lifted Thomas' spirits after he fumbled last week against Northwestern, setting up the Wildcats' 54-51 win.

"I just had to move on," Thomas said. "I was the leader of this team. I just had to help my team win this game. You can't dwell on one game."

But in this game, Penn State, after seeing its bowl aspirations crushed following an upset loss against Iowa last week, took a 3-0 advantage on Primati's 35-yard kick with 2:55 remaining in the first quarter.

Following Primanti's second miss from 39 yards, Thomas rolled into the end zone for a seven-yard score on an 11-play, 78-yard drive that gave the Wolverines a 7-3 lead.

"Penn State-Michigan is always about intensity," Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr said. "It's about being able to continue to play hard for four quarters. I thought we did that on both sides. You can't turn the football over like we did and win big games, unless other teams turn the ball over like they did.

"Turnovers, I think, were the story of this game."

That was also true later as Michigan posted its second score after freshman David Kimball missed a 35-yard boot. Henson, who was 14 of 29 for 212 yards and three interceptions, tossed the first of his two touchdowns after he found tight end Bill Seymour for a 15-yard score.

Hayden Epstein made good on a 33-yard kick to give the Wolverines a 17-3 advantage at the intermission.

Epstein would come through again on a 31-yard kick after Michigan's James Whitley blocked Primanti's try from 38 yards out.

Penn State narrowed the margin to 27-11 with 9:23 remaining in the contest as Matt Senneca, who took over for Rashard Casey, who was 16 of 28 for 158 yards, aired out a 50-yard touchdown toss over cornerback Todd Howard's head to Bryant Johnson.

But Michigan played ball control after the Lions' last interception as freshman Chris Perry relieved Thomas and walked into the end zone with one second remaining to add to the Wolverines' insurmountable lead.

Penn State hosts its remaining contest against Michigan State Saturday in Beaver Stadium while Michigan will fight for a Rose Bowl berth against Ohio State in one of college football's most storied rivalries.

"We've been through some low points this season and this is another one," Penn State defensive end Justin Kurpeikis said. "If anything, my buddies are resilient. These guys have a lot of pride. You may not believe that, but they have a lot of pride. They don't want this to happen. It's not something you choose."