There was no bigger question mark coming into Saturday's game than at running back for Penn State. That's no knock on Rodney Kinlaw or Evan Royster, it was just unclear exactly what effect Austin Scott's arrest Friday afternoon would have on the team.
Turns out it had little impact on the Nittany Lions, who had one of their best rushing efforts of the season behind a third 100-yard game this season from Kinlaw, an effective performance by their offensive line and another complementary effort from Royster.
"We've been hearing a lot about our running game not being that great," said Penn State fullback Matt Hahn, who scored a 1-yard touchdown. "The last couple weeks I think we proved that we can definitely run the ball. The guys up front have taken it upon themselves ... to kinda make a statement, blow people off the balls. The last two weeks we've been pushing the other D-line around."
It's a promising sign because Penn State has been running the ball effectively for the past two weeks in Scott's absence. Halfway through the Big Ten schedule, the Lions appear to have solidified one prong of the offense.
Penn State used the pass to set up the run in Saturday's win against then-No. 19 Wisconsin, starting its first three drives with passes to wideout Terrell Golden. By its second drive, Penn State had cut open creases and Kinlaw was seizing them.
"I think we tackled pretty well, but I have to go back on film and see," Wisconsin linebacker DeAndre Levy said. "It was just misreading and misaligning. And they split us."
Kinlaw, a fifth-year senior, rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. He scored at the start of the third quarter, capping an 11-play, 74-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Kinlaw carried the ball six times for 40 yards on that drive.
"Kinlaw's been one of those guys who has been his own worst enemy," Joe Paterno said. "I've been on him: 'Hey, you can't outrun everybody in this league. If you get a crack, get your three, get your four, and go from there.' And I think he's finally getting some patience."
Royster worked in after the first two series in the first half and made a quick impact. He scored on a 19-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1 that was a product of tremendous vision coupled with beautiful blocking from the offensive line and fullback.
"I always look for things that could set the play off," Royster said. "If you see the linebackers like they were and the safety was inside and there was no corner out there. You just see things, you know where the play is going beforehand and the defense doesn't. So you always make a presnap read."
Before the snap, Royster surveyed Wisconsin's defensive line and noticed they were lined low. He figured they would cut Penn State's offensive linemen low to try and "let the [Wisconsin] linebackers clean up."
Armed with that, Royster followed the massive hole on the left side. Tight end Andrew Quarless and left tackle Gerald Cadogan pushed in Wisconsin defensive end. Hahn made a kicked-out block on Wisconsin linebacker Deandre Levy.
"Any time I can run untouched," Royster said, "obviously everybody's doing something right."
Royster said Penn State's offensive line started to wear on the Wisconsin defense.
"They did a great job as usual," Kinlaw said of the offensive line. "Them, Matty Hahn, the receivers did a great job blocking. It feels like we had a complete offensive game."
OFFENSIVE NOTES: Guards Rich Ohrnberger and Mike Lucian moved back to their regular positions after switching last week against Iowa. Ohrnberger played on the left side; Lucian moved back to right. ... Wide receiver Chris Bell did not play yesterday because Joe Paterno said Bell is in the coach's "doghouse." ... Quarterbacks Daryll Clark and Pat Devlin saw action in mop-up time. Clark went 0-for-1 passing and rushed for 21 yards and a touchdown on three carries. It was the most significant time they've seen since the season opener against Florida International.
