• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Morelli, rushing attack propels Penn State in rout

Sep 1, 2007 - 10:34 PM STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- Quarterback Anthony Morelli and a strong rushing attack welcomed legendary coach Joe Paterno back in style.

Morelli threw for three touchdowns and 17th-ranked Penn State rushed for five more scores in its 59-0 romp over Florida International on Saturday afternoon.

Paterno, 80, returned to the sidelines for the first time since he broke his left leg following a collision with two players at Wisconsin in November. Paterno spent the final three games last season coaching from the press box.

After the game, Paterno still found humor in it all.

"We were talking a little bit and a couple of kids were teasing me a little bit about how they don't want me to get hurt," he said. "One of the coaches said, 'You know, Coach, you didn't know they cared about you.' And I said, 'Sure they care about me. I sign their scholarship.'"

Now in his record 42nd season, Paterno broke Amos Alonzo Stagg's record for coaching longevity at one school on Saturday. Stagg coached 41 seasons at the University of Chicago from 1892-1932.

Morelli, who completed 24-of-39 passes for 295 yards, tossed touchdown passes of four and 17 yards to stake the Nittany Lions to a 14-0 first-quarter lead. His first strike went to Terrell Golden, capping a six-play, 44-yard drive.

After Penn State (1-0) recovered a fumble on Florida International's 22, Morelli struck quickly, finding Mickey Shuler from 17 yards out for the score.

Morelli added a one-yard toss to Matt Hahn to give Penn State a 45-0 lead in the third quarter.

Paterno praised Morelli's performance ... well, somewhat.

"Outside of the one sack, I thought he did a great job," Paterno said. "He took the one sack he didn't have to take. He was at about midfield and took about a nine-yard sack, but that was the only one that got him. I thought Anthony played well."

Adam Scott scored from one and eight yards out, while Rodney Kinlaw, Evan Royster and Dan Lawlor also found the end zone. Penn State enjoyed a 238-(minus-3) advantage in rushing yards and a 577-116 edge in total yards.

Penn State's defense didn't skip a beat, even without two-time Bednarik Award winner Paul Posluszny, who is now playing for the NFL's Buffalo Bills.

The Nittany Lions' tenacious defense forced two fumbles, had six sacks and even blocked a 29-yard field goal attempt by Florida International (0-1) in the second quarter.

"Florida International is going to be a pretty good football team eventually, but that's a tough assignment," Paterno said. "I think we did well. We came off some blocks. We were consistent. We didn't do any dumb things up front.

"In fact that was the best thing even offensively - we were pretty good with discipline and concentration. But I think that some of those young kids on that defensive line did a good job."

Florida International hasn't won a game since 2005 after going 0-12 last season.

The 59-0 victory is the largest shutout win for the Nittany Lions since Penn State defeated Cincinnati, 81-0, in 1991.

Penn State plays host to Notre Dame next week before its Big Ten opener at No. 5 Michigan on September 22.