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Penn State faces Oregon State for first time

Sep 6, 2008 - 11:33 AM Oregon St (0-1) at No. 19 Penn St (1-0), 3:30pm EDT

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- For the second straight week, Penn State will face an opponent for the first time in the program's 122-year history.

Oregon State heads to Happy Valley on Saturday to take on the 19th-ranked Nittany Lions, who are coming off their most productive outing in 13 years.

Penn State (1-0) rolled up 594 yards in last week's season-opening 66-10 rout of Coastal Carolina, its highest total since gaining 661 yards in a 59-34 victory over Rutgers in 1995.

The Nittany Lions gained 334 yards on the ground, with four players rushing for more than 60 yards, led by freshman Stephfon Green, who ran for 89 yards. Evan Royster scored a career-high three touchdowns.

Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark played well in his first career start - albeit against an overmatched opponent - completing 11-of-14 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown.

Penn State should get more of a test against the Beavers (0-1), who are coming off a disappointing 36-28 loss at Stanford. Oregon State outgained the Cardinal, 490-301, but committed the game's only three turnovers.

Penn State's defense will try to contain Oregon State quarterback Lyle Moevao, who passed for 404 yards and three touchdowns against Stanford.

The Beavers' offense was bolstered by the return of wide receiver Sammie Stroughter, who missed last year as a medical redshirt. Stroughter dominated against Stanford with 12 receptions for 157 yards and two scores.

"I think Oregon State got behind a little bit," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "I don't think that (passing) was necessarily their game. We've got to be ready to handle the running game. I think we've got to be ready for a more balanced attack."

If Penn State gets past Oregon State, it should be 4-0 heading into Big Ten Conference play. Games against Syracuse and Temple follow for the Nittany Lions.

It appears that Paterno and Florida State's Bobby Bowden will spend another year jockeying for the lead in all-time wins among coaches in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Paterno won his 373rd game last week to tie Bowden, whose Seminoles were idle.