And it wasn't baby powder or Band-Aids. It was big plays.

The Johnson and Johnson and Johnson company ignited the Nittany Lions' offense and special teams and spearheaded Penn State to their third straight victory.

Wide receiver Bryant Johnson got things going first. With the Lions leading 17-7 and seeking another score just before halftime, Johnson plucked a tipped ball out of the air in the back of the end zone and managed to keep his feet in bounds to give his team a 24-7 lead at the break.

That was the most magnificent of Johnson's 10 catches (a career high) which netted him 132 yards for the day. For the season now, the junior from Baltimore has 37 catches for 648 yards, putting him on a realistic pace to break the single season mark for both statistical categories.

And this is all following a year in which Johnson had a season long bout with the "drops" that subsequently led to a long list of people who doubted his playmaking ability.

"I don't really look toward the past, I just look toward the future," Johnson said. "I had struggles last year, but I put them behind me. I knew I was a better player than that. During the offseason I just worked very hard to become the player that I am now."

Johnson's touchdown catch was actually intended for another member of this triple threat connection: Tony Johnson. The sophomore from State College got a second chance to make his presence felt during the first drive of the second half. The second Johnson extended the Lions' lead early after hauling in a 42-yard bomb from quarterback Zack Mills.

This is the second straight week young Tony has stepped to the forefront as a reliable second receiver for Mills. Against Ohio State it was Tony (who finished Saturday's game with four catches for 71 yards) who helped the Lions rally after catching a 26-yard touchdown to get the Lions back within five points of the Buckeyes.

"Tony knew that he had that ability, he just needed to really make the decision to do it," receivers coach Kenny Carter said. "I'm even harder on him than I am on the other guys because he's younger. He's realizing that he needs to step up and because he's starting to do that, he's realizing that he has to have a work ethic and the attitude that a starter has.

"And because of that he's evolved into a player that's able to become that second guy."

Tony's big brother, Larry, is the third Johnson who threw his hat into the big play ring. On the very next drive of the game, the Southern Miss offense stalled and called on the punt team. Now normally Penn State followers are accustomed to watching Larry make plays on offense. But on this play he showed that he's quite the special teamer as well.

After the ball was snapped, Larry raced around the end of the Eagles' line, and found himself right in front of punter Mark Haulman who booted the ball right into Johnson's midsection. The junior tailback promptly picked up the loose ball and scampered into the end zone to put the game completely out of reach at 38-7.

"I like playing special teams," Larry said. "It's the only time I get to play in a defensive role. Every time that you make a big play on special teams, it turns the whole game around."