LINE: Penn State by 28

PREDICTION: Penn State 49, Syracuse 10

GAME TIME: 3:30, today

WHERE: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.

TV/RADIO: WTAE-4, WATM-23 (ABC affiliates)/Penn State radio network

SERIES RECORD: Penn State leads 40-23-5. This is the first meeting since 1990. The schools had played every year from 1944 through 1990.

Penn State takes its show on the road for the first time this season, playing at Syracuse on the same weekend that the movie chronicling the school’s Heisman Trophy-winner Ernie Davis, “The Express,” premieres in town. Joe Paterno has been warning his team about this venture into a possible emotional cauldron, against a team desperate for a win.

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

Paterno told an amusing story this week about the time an equipment manager was soaking footballs for a wet-ball session, a Thursday practice staple at Penn State, in advance of a trip to Syracuse. Paterno had to call him off, reminding him the game would be played indoors in the Carrier Dome.

Once, this intimate dome was a house of horrors for visitors. These days• Not so much.

Penn State’s offense is rolling, and the defense is playing well despite losses due to injuries and disciplinary reasons.

Including Syracuse, the cumulative record of Penn State’s first three opponents is 0-6, meaning Paterno likely will have to wait a few weeks for a genuine test of his team.

Quarterback Daryll Clark said the Lions are mindful that they can’t take this game for granted, which would be bad news for Syracuse.

BY THE NUMBERS

QB Daryll Clark: 25-37 passing, 361 yards, 3 TDs

RB Evan Royster: 25 carries, 205 yards, 6 TDs

LB Tyrell Sales: 17 tackles, 1 forced fumble

SYRACUSE ORANGE

Syracuse changed quarterbacks last week — but not the outcome — in a loss to Akron, 42-28. Cameron Dantley will get the starting nod again this week after completing 13 of 20 passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.

No matter how well Dantley plays, the Syracuse defense has to step up for the Orange to have any chance. The defense ranks 111th nationally in total defense (481 yards a game), 112st against the rush (243.5 yards a game) and 101st in scoring defense (36 points a game).

Coach Greg Robinson, a self-described optimist, said he saw some good things in the Akron loss. His detractors point to his 7-30 overall record in this, his fourth season, and wonder when those good things will start producing victories.

BY THE NUMBERS

QB Cameron Dantley: 13-20 passing, 135 yards, 3 TDs

RB Curtis Brinkley: 30 carries, 192 yards, 2 TDs

KR Max Suter: 10 kickoff returns, 204 yards

NEXT GAME: Sept. 20 vs. Temple at noon, Beaver Stadium

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