COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Before Penn State's game versus Ohio State Saturday, linebacker Paul Posluszny said the defense was getting its swagger back. Turns out, he wasn't lying

The 28-6 score didn't show it, but the No. 24 Nittany Lions turned in a defensive effort just as impressive as last year's against Ohio State, when they sacked quarterback Troy Smith five times and held speedy wideout Ted Ginn Jr. to just 40 yards receiving.

This time, the Lions never sacked Smith, but did pick off two of his passes, ending Smith's streak of 152 attempts without an interception.

Ginn was even more of non-factor than last year, finishing with just two catches for 15 yards, as sophomore cornerback Justin King shadowed his every move.

The Lions' defense gave up just two scoring drives, once when Smith eluded Tim Shaw in the backfield before firing a bomb to Brian Robiskie in the end zone, and another that saw running back Antonio Pittman barrel 12 yards for a score to cap a nine-play, 75-yard drive.

"We felt good, but I mean, to be honest, the defense especially, we see ourselves as a perfectionists," said junior linebacker Dan Connor, who picked off Smith to start the second half. "We want no points. They put together a nice drive and they scored a touchdown and that made us all pretty angry."

Now four games into the season, senior defensive tackle Ed Johnson said the defense is beginning to develop a camaraderie that has translated into success on the field.

"We feel good out there playing with each other," said Johnson, who finished with three tackles. "We have each other's back. Everyone wants to get it done. We're just trying to dominate more."

Penn State dominated the first half, shutting out the Buckeyes. It was the first time the Buckeyes had been held scoreless in a half since Penn State accomplished the feat in the second half of last year's 17-10 victory against Ohio State.

After the game, Smith was asked what Penn State does to cause so many problems for Ohio State's offense.

"I can't pinpoint one thing," he said. "Today was just the start of the Big Ten season. We knew that they were going to come in there and bring the whole ball of yarn. Some of the things that Penn State [does] is a credit to their defensive scheme and their defensive coordinator. They do a great job."

On Smith's first pass of the game, King made a diving interception, ending Smith's streak.

"I feel like the better the receiver, I feel like the better I play," King said. "I came in ready to play. I've been waiting for this."

At one point, King and Ginn got into a shoving match on the field. Both receiving offsetting penalties. After the play, King spent went to the sidelines for seven plays because he lost a contact.

King downplayed the confrontation after the game.

"We were just having fun," King said. "I felt that he blocked me a little late. It was all competition, good competition."

Though the scoreboard showed 28 points for Ohio State, 14 of those came off interceptions returned for touchdowns in the waning moments of the game, something that Connor said frustrated the defense.

But frustrated or not, the Lions say they aren't shaken -- at least not on the defensive front.

"Our confidence is there. We played with a lot of swagger and a lot of confidence," Johnson said. "Nothing's going to take that from us."