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Clark, Penn State hammer Temple

Sep 20, 2008 - 9:27 PM STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- Joe Paterno had a different vantage point, but the result was the same - another blowout victory for Penn State.

Daryll Clark passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another score in a 31-point second quarter Saturday as the 15th-ranked Nittany Lions cruised to a 45-3 victory over Temple.

The 81-year-old Paterno spent the second half watching the game with his assistants in the press box at Beaver Stadium. He had been bothered by a sore right leg during the week.

"My leg's okay," Paterno said. "I just stand on it too long and it aches. But I'm probably babying myself."

"I think (Paterno) knows he has a good team right now, and he's excited about that," Temple coach Al Golden added. "God bless him. I have enough to worry about. He has 1,400 wins."

For the record, Saturday's win was "only" the 376th of Paterno's career.

Penn State (4-0) has won its first four games by an average of just under 43 points, outscoring its opponents by a combined margin of 211-40.

The Nittany Lions could get their first test next week, however, when they host Illinois in their Big Ten Conference opener.

Coming off a crushing 30-28 defeat to Buffalo when it allowed a "Hail Mary" pass on the final play of the game, Temple (1-3) played Penn State tough through the first quarter.

The Nittany Lions were blanked in the opening period for the first time this season, but broke it open in an explosive second period to build a 31-0 cushion at halftime.

Still, Clark did throw an interception and Penn State fumbled five times, losing one.

"I tell you, it was a very, very sloppy performance - fumbles, had an interception," Paterno said. "Coverage was terrible."

Penn State finally got on the board on Clark's 20-yard TD pass to Brett Brackett in the first minute of the second period, and after a three-and-out, scored again on Evan Royster's 32-yard TD scamper - his seventh score of the season.

"I don't know what it was," Royster said. "We just came out flat, maybe thinking it was going to be a little easier. We obviously stepped it up in the second quarter."

Travis Shelton appeared to provide a spark for the Owls, returning the ensuing kickoff 74 yards. But it was short-lived as safety Tony Davis intercepted Chester Stewart on the next play.

Penn State struck quickly as Clark's 49-yard pass to Deon Butler set up Clark's 11-yard keeper that made it 21-0 and capped a stretch in which the Nittany Lions scored three touchdowns in just over five minutes.

Penn State continued to pour it own in the third quarter, extending its lead to 38-3 on Stephfon Green's 69-yard TD burst five minutes into the second half.

Clark completed 13-of-20 passes for 196 yards and Green rushed for 132 yards on just nine carries.

"I am trying to catch up to Evan," said Green, who has four TDs this season. "I keep telling him to stop getting touchdowns and yards, because I am trying to catch up to him. The offensive line is having a great year so far."

Stewart completed 16-of-30 passes for just 116 yards. He replaced starter Adam DiMichele, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter.

"I felt sorry for Temple," Paterno said. "Their quarterback goes down on the second or third play. He's the guy who's really been driving them."

"Chester played courageous today," Golden added. "Obviously, your No. 1 quarterback gets most of the reps. (Stewart) fought hard, got anxious a couple times and overthrew the ball."

After the sluggish start, Penn State overpowered Temple with superior depth and arsenal of weapons.

The Nittany Lions finished with a 546-138 edge in total offense, including 303-16 on the ground. Nine different players had at least one carry for Penn State, with Royster contributing 73 yards and nine attempts.

Temple got its only points on Jake Browell's 25-yard field goal with 10:43 left in the third quarter. The Owls were blanked in their two previous games against Penn State.