While Penn State quarterbacks have spent a good portion of the season escaping from a pass rush, Michael Robinson's reluctance to run Saturday was by design.

In the Nittany Lions' 30-23 loss to Wisconsin, Robinson carried nine times but gained just 19 yards. A more agile option than Zack Mills, who missed last weekend's game with a knee injury, Robinson was able to elude several closing defenders and find a receiver against the Badgers. Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez said, however, that he was puzzled the fleet-footed sophomore didn't try to beat the Badgers with his legs.

"I really was surprised," Alvarez said. "We really worked hard against the option and quarterback run because we kind of thought that's what they'd try to hang their hat on."

Without tailback Austin Scott, who had just two carries for five yards after halftime, the Penn State offense couldn't seem to click. Tony Hunt had just four carries for four yards as a replacement.

Lions' center David Costlow also said Wisconsin's defensive front prevented any consistent running threat. With as many as nine defenders close to the line, Costlow said the Badgers dared Penn State to throw the ball and that the Lions had to stay with what was working. It didn't work well enough, apparently. The quick-strike Penn State passing game mustered little more than six minutes of possession in the second half and had two scoring drives that lasted a combined 1:28.

Against a worn-down Lions defense, the Badgers rushed for 176 yards and a win in the second half.

Day to remember

Offense: Michael Robinson -- The sophomore had 379 yards passing and was the first Penn State quarterback to throw more than one touchdown pass in a game since Zack Mills did it against Indiana last season.

Defense: Derek Wake -- Whether or not Penn State football coach Joe Paterno's criticism was a motivational tool, Wake responded. He had nine tackles, including three for loss and a sack. The defense allowed 234 yards rushing, but that was because of problems with the line and middle linebacker Gino Capone.

Day to forget

Offense: Austin Scott -- Scott's first true taste of a Big Ten rush defense was bitter. The true freshman carried 10 times for 22 yards and was all but forgotten as the game wound down.

Defense: Calvin Lowry -- The potential for Lowry to be a stellar return man is there, but holding onto the football is more important than any yardage.

Did you notice?

The homage to Under Armour? Fans sitting in the first rows of section EE unfurled a banner that said, "We must protect this house," under rainy pre-game skies. Between the water and the wind, the paper sign came down before kick off...How empty the stands were? Sure, the announced attendance was more than 107,000, but Beaver Stadium seemed emptier than Pattee on a Saturday night.

Extra point

At this point, it doesn't look like the Lions could find their way to Northland Bowl, let alone to New Year's Day. Here's to spending the holidays with your family.