At times, it looks like only the Penn State football team can stop the Penn State football team.

At other times, it looks like fate could take it all instantly away with injuries. Those times were frequent on Saturday when the Lions beat Wisconsin, 34-31.

At least three Nittany Lions -- quarterback Zack Mills, tailback Larry Johnson and outside linebacker LaMar Stewart -- suffered injuries that forced them off the field or into the locker room.

First, there was Mills showing the quick mind that is rapidly turning him into a Penn State legend. After handing the ball to Paul Jefferson at the 2-yard line, Mills stood waiting for the referees to throw up their arms.

Instead, the ball popped loose, Mills, one of only two people not entangled in the pile, darted to the ball and picked it up/dove all in one fell swoop. The other loose player, a Wisconsin defender, hadn't even realized the ball was there.

But when Mills got up, he looked even more awkward than usual, and seemed to be favoring his left shoulder or arm.

He went straight to the locker room, and everywhere where there was Blue and White, the unimaginable thought crept in: Michael Robinson might actually get to throw the ball.

Robinson warmed up on the sideline after Mills left to let the team doctors take a look. He returned about four minutes and 30 seconds later, right when Penn State was set to get the ball back.

"I had hurt the shoulder earlier in the drive," Mills said. "I did my best not to let it bother me."

The injury came on second and 15 from the Penn State 45, when Mills attempted to run a draw and instead ran into Wisconsin defensive end Erasmus James, who caught Mills in mid-stride and slammed him to the ground.

Mills got right up and completed a 22-yard pass to Gerald Smith on third and 19.

Later in the drive, Mills found Bryant Johnson for 20 yards. Mills said after that game that he has a sprained acromioclavicular joint.

"It's not something that should be a problem," said the sophomore from Maryland, who has had troubles in his throwing elbow all year. "The trainers will take good care of it."

Mills said the hard Wisconsin turf was not a factor in the injury. Larry Johnson was less kind.

"It was the damn turf," he said when discussing his strained hamstring. "Every running back is going to do that if he plants enough on hard turf. It's just what happens when you are running hard."

Johnson was visibly upset after what had the potential to be the best game of his career was cut short on the Penn State's first drive of the second half.

After running for gains of 43 and seven yards, Johnson took another handoff and was forced to bounce outside. He gained two yards and came up holding his hamstring.

"I just felt it get tight and I knew," he said.

Up to that point, Johnson had rushed for 114 yards on 14 carries. He would have been vital in running down the clock late in the game, which the Lions failed to do, letting the Badgers pull within three.

"It was tough because I knew it was the type of situation where I was needed," Johnson said. "I thought Mike Gasparato did an awesome job."

The fact that Johnson did not return could be seen two ways. First, it could mean the injury is worse than the Lions will let on. Or, it could mean that Johnson was mature enough to stay out and also had faith in his backup.

Stewart stayed on the turf late in the fourth quarter, apparently favoring his right ankle. His backup, T.C. Cosby, had already had his most playing time of the year and filled in the rest of the way.

Paterno will likely discuss the status of all three players at his press conference later today.

A team that has already lost starters Yaacov Yisreal, Calvin Lowry and Sam Ruhe to injury is hoping fate takes it easy.