It’s hard not to win a game when the defense allows zero points.
When it did just that this afternoon, Tom Bradley’s defense gave the Penn State faithful a guaranteed home victory over Kent State (1-2).
The offense did its part too, putting together three touchdowns and a field goal to set the final score, 24-0.
‘I think we made some progress,’ said head coach Joe Paterno. ‘We still have a long way to go.’
Improvements have been made on the defense, which gave up 24 points to No. 1 Alabama in enemy territory last week. Cornerbacks D’Anton Lynn and Derrick Thomas each recorded an interception, the defense’s first turnovers of the 2010 season.
Evan Royster, who was expected to break out of a slump for today’s game, had 38 yards on 11 carries before he was sidelined to give his backups more playing time. He did rush for his first touchdown of the season.
Backup Stephfon Green was given the ball 11 times as well and ran for 59 yards. Even freshman quarterback Rob Bolden threatened to outpace Royster. Bolden ran for 33 yards on four attempts, one of which ended in the endzone (his first collegiate rushing TD).
Bolden’s passing game today was less efficient. Though he threw for 217 yards, two passes accounted for 103 of those yards. He was also picked off twice and had one touchdown pass.
A 55-yard pass to Derek Moye was Bolden’s longest pass (and Moye’s longest reception) at Penn State. The touchdown pass was a 48-yarder to Devon Smith.
The kicking game, which added three points in the third quarter, also had a missed 43-yard attempt in the final quarter.
Early in the game, Royster became Penn State’s sixth player to surpass 3,000 career rushing yards before scoring his first rushing touchdown of the season.
Penn State is now 3-0 against Kent State and 2-1 (2-0 at home) this season. The Lions will face Temple at 3:30 p.m. next Saturday at Beaver Stadium
