Start spreadin' the news.

And while you're at it, spread the defense as well.

The Nittany Lions will be in Evanston, Ill., this weekend, a place where wide receivers stretch the field as far as the eye can see, where opposing defenses had better not blink, or Northwestern will be in the end zone.

The Wildcats' vaunted veer-spread offense has made them into one of the most dynamic and dangerous teams in the Big Ten during the past two years.

Tomorrow they'll be looking to test both the Penn State Nittany Lions' defense and the scoreboard operator.

Quarterback Zak Kustok is the catalyst of a group that is putting up 30.2 points and 425 yards per game, while Heisman hopeful running back Damien Anderson gives the Wildcats a lethal balance.

To compound Northwestern's wealth of talent, the offense runs nearly all of its plays in a no-huddle, hurry-up fashion, making it difficult for the defense to change personnel or recover from the previous play.

"They get you in a lot of different looks, mostly shotgun," said Penn State coach Joe Paterno.

"Northwestern will run everything without a huddle."

Expect to see a number of Lions rotating in and out of the lineup tomorrow, especially in the secondary.

"We have to have a lot of people ready to play," Paterno said. "Depth will be a big factor, if we have it, if we are going to hang in there with Northwestern."

Lions nickel cornerback Rich Gardner said the Penn State D will also have to do an effective job of disguising its coverages, and dictate the flow of the game rather than having it dictated to them.

"That's a very important part of our defense," he said. "The offense can pick you apart if they know what you're doing. There are only a few looks you can give them, and they can call audibles. We'll be trying to make them play into our game plan."

Penn State's defense fell victim to the quick, open-field passing game of Ken Dorsey and Miami, but the Lions have been slowly but steadily coming together as the season has progressed.

The Lions should have enough young talent to display solid depth this weekend.

And while they're 4-1 and among the conference leaders in most offensive categories this year, the No. 22 Wildcats still aren't quite where they were last season.

"It still goes back to basics," said Northwestern head coach Randy Walker.

"You have to execute, block well, protect well, make throws and catches, and you've got to spread it around. We're not executing as well as we were at times last year and we have to improve on that."

However, it won't matter how poorly the Wildcats execute, or how well the Lions defense plays, if the Penn State offense (31 points in four games) can't get thing going.

"We haven't done well, especially in the first half," said Penn State center Joe Iorio.

"We have to make a better showing. There is definitely a sense of urgency to put some points on the board."