Ohio State center Doug Datish said one of the keys to tomorrow's game is controlling the line of scrimmage.

And that should be music to Penn State's ears -- at least on offense.

The Nittany Lions' line ranks fourth in the country in sacks allowed and has helped improve the running game every week. Only 16 teams currently have more rushing yards.

"It's held up well. We've only had two sacks or something crazy like that," Anthony Morelli said. "They're starting to come together and get the running game going. It's impressive."

Statistically, the running game has improved by leaps and bounds, literally doubling every week. The total rushing yardage has increased from 76 against Akron to 158 against Notre Dame to 389 against Youngstown State. The average yards per carry has also gone up (2.8, 4.8, 10.0).

Still, during his weekly press conference, Joe Paterno cautioned that statistics don't win games. He acknowledged Ohio State's defense has a lot of quickness and some "very, very well conceived blitz schemes."

"Whether the young guys on the road -- with all the noise and everything else -- can handle some of the stuff that Ohio State does will be a real challenge for them," Paterno said. "Only one guy has ever played much, and that is Levi Brown."

Brown voiced confidence this week, saying he expected plenty of blitzes and stunts just like last season. Last year, though, Penn State didn't allow a single sack against the Buckeyes.

That should be a lot harder to come by this time around. Ohio State's Quinn Pitcock remains one of the nation's premiere defensive tackles and already has four sacks to his name. While Michael Robinson could scramble around him last season (he took off running 14 times), Morelli will remain in the pocket -- meaning the Penn State offensive line might have to hold its blocks longer.

"We take a lot of pride in that. We knew we'd have to give Morelli more time, so that's what we set out to do," Brown said. "The offense can go wherever we take it.

"[There's] unlimited possibilities right now."

Center A.Q. Shipley seemed to agree, adding the two-headed running attack certainly doesn't hurt matters either. According to Shipley, Rodney Kinlaw is more of a fast, breakaway-type back while Tony Hunt is obviously the smashmouth, run-you-over tailback.

As a duo, the two have averaged a combined 6.3 yards per carry and 124.6 yards per game -- good for 30 percent of the entire offense. Hunt, himself, has 240 yards on the ground.

"I love that back. He's an old-fashioned, physical-type guy, [Tony] Hunt," Ohio State coach Jim Tressell said. "So you add the toughness with the understanding and speed, and you've got a good football team."