Penn State men's rugby head coach Don Ferrell wasn't with his team Saturday morning leading up to its game against No. 15 Ohio State.

Still, someone reminded the Ruggers to eat their Wheaties.

Heading into its game against non-divisional rival Ohio State, No. 4 Penn State's last two ranked opponents had given the team fits. The Ruggers were never truly able to put them away en route to winning their two closest matches of the year.

That wasn't the case on this afternoon, as Penn State won in a 49-0 romp against Ohio State.

On an afternoon when the cold, wet and windy conditions relegated numerous fans to their cars for shelter, the Ruggers spent the first half driving head-on into the wind.

The Ruggers played on undeterred and ended the half up 22-0, behind the strength of two tries by Steve Wallick and one by Nic Grala.

"We got a good start against the wind," assistant coach Terry Ryland said. "Us cashing in on our opportunities and them not is what really turned the tide."

The second half saw more of the same, as Penn State mixed stifling defense with five more tries, including two by fullback Luke Roberts and another by Grala.

In previous games the Ruggers would have lost defensive focus and intensity -- but not today.

"This is always a big game for us, so [the rivalry between the teams] definitely helped the intensity," Roberts said. "We pretty much played by the gameplan and it showed out on the field."

Throughout the second half, the Ruggers played flawless defense, rarely allowing the Ohio State squad past midfield.

"We talked about that at halftime," Ferrell said. "[We] have a tendency once things are going well to maybe relax, and a good team doesn't do that. You gotta keep them down, you gotta finish them off. I think they did a real nice job today staying with it."

By overcoming a ranked opponent in dominant fashion, as well as weather described by Ferrell as "brutal," the Ruggers had a statement Saturday of sorts.

"Thursday we had one of the best practices of the year. And we're starting to pick up some things," he said. "Today's goals were clean execution on offense, mix it up, and also to play solid defense. I think we really did that today. I think it was the best defensive performance we've had."

Now, with Ohio State behind them, the Ruggers are staring down this Saturday's tilt with No. 6 Navy. Even after the team's impressive performance Saturday, it's clear that Penn State is still hungry.

"We took some big steps forward today in getting to where we want to be," Ferrell said. "We're not there yet, but we took some big steps today against a good Ohio State team."