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Posted at 1:06 p.m., Saturday, October 13, 2007

CFB: Penn State's offense batters No. 19 Wisconsin

By Genaro C. Armas
Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State brushed aside the distractions and No. 19 Wisconsin.

Rodney Kinlaw for 115 yards and a touchdown, Anthony Morelli threw for 216 yards and another score and the Nittany Lions capitalized on mistake-prone Wisconsin in a surprisingly easy 38-7 win today.

Penn State (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) moved the ball with ease in claiming its second straight conference win and scored on two of three Wisconsin first-half turnovers.

The Badgers (5-2, 2-2) lost their second straight after having won 14 in a row.

Just last week the Badgers were ranked No. 5 and had aspirations for a national title. Now, they've lost two straight and are struggling.Wisconsin's season-long woes on defense continued Saturday, and their offense was held to a season-low point total. "Overrated!" chanted blue and white-clad fans with five minutes left in the fourth quarter and the game well in hand.

Star tailback P.J. Hill, who bruised a groin last week against Illinois, had 19 carries and ran for a touchdown but was held to 75 yards rushing on the afternoon, 50 below his season average.

He got the Badgers off to an awful start, fumbling on the Wisconsin 16 after being hit by defensive end Josh Gaines on the first play.

Linebacker Sean Lee recovered at the 12, and three plays later Matt Hahn leaped into the end zone from 1 yard out to give the Nittany Lions a quick 7-0 lead.

Early in the second quarter, wide-open freshman wideout David Gilreath, getting more playing time because of injuries to the Wisconsin receiving corps, bobbled a pass that would have given the Badgers a sure first down at midfield. Penn State's Lydell Sargeant picked the ball out of the air for an interception.

Three plays later, Morelli faked left and hit Deon Butler in stride down the right sideline for a 29-yard score and 17-7 lead.

A giddy Butler raised his right fist in the air as he trotted by the raucous student section. It was happy homecoming game in Happy Valley.

Evan Royster's 19-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-1 with 6:29 in the second quarter gave Penn State a 24-7 lead that Wisconsin would never threaten.

Royster had 68 yards on eight carries, and Morelli finished 16-of-28 passing.

The beleaguered Nittany Lions finally generated some good news today after a turbulent week in State College.

Police yesterday charged running back Austin Scott with rape. Scott was suspended last week.