Nittany Lions are back — and 6-0

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Go ahead and say it: Penn State is back.

Back on top of the Big Ten and back in the hunt for a national title.

Michael Robinson and Derrick Williams ran for touchdowns less than three minutes apart in the second quarter, and Paul Posluszny and the Nittany Lions' defense did the rest in a 17-10 victory over No. 6 Ohio State on Saturday night.

Win No. 349 for Joe Paterno was the type of victory some thought was only in the past for the 78-year-old coach. The 16th-ranked Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0) hadn't beaten a team so highly ranked since knocking off No. 4 Arizona to start the 1999 season.

"I've been as conservative as I could in evaluating my football team," Paterno said. "I think we're a good football team. I think we can be better."

On a chilly and damp night — just perfect for a slugfest between two of the Big Ten's best defenses — Penn State was out to prove that Paterno's once powerful program could again compete with the nation's elite after winning just three conference games the past two seasons.

The Nittany Lions did more than just hold their own against the Buckeyes (3-2, 1-1) and their vaunted defense, led by linebacker A.J. Hawk. Penn State bested the team considered the class of the league and Rose Bowl contender.

When Tamba Hali sacked Troy Smith, knocked the ball loose and it was recovered by Scott Paxson with about a minute and a half left, all that remained was for Robinson to take a couple of knees to kill the clock.

"It felt great," Hali said of his game-clinching sack.

Now, for the first time since that '99 season, Penn State is a player in the national-title picture.

"Everyone feels that Penn State is back," said linebacker Dan Connor, who had 12 tackles and a sack. "We're back on the map."

Defense was the linchpin of that team with linebacker LaVar Arrington and defensive end Courtney Brown providing the big plays.

Now its Posluszny, Hali and Dan Connor leading the way.

The Lions bottled up the two-way threat Smith and took Ohio State's big-play receivers, Ted Ginn Jr. and Santonio Holmes, out of the game. Not until the final drive did either have a catch over 20 yards.