UNIVERSITY PARK — On the kind of night that establishes programs — and with the kind of collective effort that spawns legends — Penn State forced its way back into the national spotlight Saturday.
The Nittany Lions overpowered and humiliated No. 8 Nebraska, 40-7, before a Beaver Stadium-record crowd of 110,753 and a prime-time television audience.
"I really thought all along we had a really good shot at winning — although certainly not by not that many points," Lions coach Joe Paterno said. "Everything went our way. It was one of those nights for Nebraska."
It was Penn State's first victory against an opponent ranked in the top 10 since 1999. Since then, the Lions have been mired in a funk of back-to-back losing seasons.
"I don't know if one win makes you a good football team," Paterno said. "But, obviously, this is gonna help."
The Lions (2-0) never trailed and sent the Huskers (3-1) reeling by scoring three touchdowns in a span of 5:35 in the third quarter.
Backup quarterback Michael Robinson ran in two of those scores — but was not used as a quarterback on either of them.
"I'm certainly not the smartest guy in the world," Paterno said, smiling. "But I'm smart enough to know when you've got a guy like Robinson, who's as gifted an athlete as he is, you've got to find ways to get him in the game."
Robinson, a redshirt freshman, lined up as a wideout, took the handoff from starting quarterback Zack Mills and ran 8 yards on an end around. Then, Robinson lined up as a running back in a shotgun formation and scored from 11 yards out.
"I had fun out there today," Robinson said. "I pretty much knew I was going to get in there. But scoring a touchdown — aw, man, pretty much a dream come true."
Sandwiched between Robinson's touchdowns was a 42-yard interception return by junior cornerback Richard Gardner. It was Gardner's first career pick and Penn State's first for a score since Shamar Finney ran one back against Illinois two years ago.
Tailback Larry Johnson Jr. rushed for 123 yards on 19 carries — his first career 100-yard game. His 2-yard touchdown run with 6:19 to play capped the scoring.
Wideout Bryant Johnson had eight catches for 147 yards despite pulling a hamstring in the first half. It was the sixth time in his career he has topped 100 yards.
Nebraska quarterback Jamaal Lord was intercepted again in the fourth quarter when defensive end Lavon Chisley stepped in front of a pass at midfield.
After both interceptions, the Huskers were flagged for personal fouls. Nebraska offensive lineman Richie Incognito and Penn State defensive end Jeremiah Davis were ejected for fighting after Gardner's pick.
Penn State's defense also heated up and went after Lord with abandon. The Huskers' option attack produced little, which exposed the weakness of the passing game.
"That's the best we've tackled in a while," Paterno said. "We were much more aggressive than we've been."
Lord completed 8 of 16 passes for 76 yards and was picked off three times. He had 14 carries for 11 yards. I-back Dahrren Diedrick managed just 71 yards rushing.
Nebraska rushed for 252 yards, compared to Penn State's 217. But the Nittany Lions, with Mills completing 19 of 31 passes, threw for 259 yards.
The Lions scored first with 12:45 left in the second quarter. Larry Johnson took a right-handed pitch from quarterback Zack Mills, a lefty, followed a block by fullback Paul Jefferson and ran 7 yards into the end zone.
Mills hit two clutch passes on the drive: a 24-yarder to Bryant Johnson and a 21-yard swing pass to Larry Johnson.
Nebraska came back with an eight-play, 84-yard touchdown drive to tie it. Lord ran 27 yards on a keeper then connected on a 16-yard pass to tight end Aaron Golliday.
Fullback Judd Davies scored on a 2-yard run. That was all the offense the Huskers could muster.
Penn State added field goals of 20 and 33 yards by Robbie Gould before halftime.
Penn State's 13 points in the first half matched the total Nebraska had allowed in the first halves of its three previous games.
