Penn State Makes a Strong Case to Keep Its Place at No. 1 : Big Ten: Carter runs for four touchdowns and Collins passes for two in 63-14 rout of Ohio State.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. —  Penn State was tired of hearing that the winner of the Colorado-Nebraska game would take over the Nittany Lions’ place as the No. 1 team in the nation.

That meant it was going to be a long day for Ohio State.

Penn State handed the No. 21 Buckeyes their worst loss in 48 years, a 63-14 defeat before a Beaver Stadium-record crowd of 97,079.

“I think we made a statement today,” quarterback Kerry Collins said. “We beat a good team and we won resoundingly. I’d be miffed if we weren’t No. 1.”

The Nittany Lions knew third-ranked Nebraska had defeated second-ranked Colorado, 24-7, so they didn’t waste any time trying to impress voters. They were up at halftime, 35-0, led by Ki-Jana Carter, who grew up 10 minutes from the Ohio State campus.

Carter ran for four touchdowns and 137 yards in 19 carries, leaving in the third quarter with the score 49-7. Collins, the nation’s top-rated passer, engineered five long drives and completed 19 of 23 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns.

“We weren’t concerned with the Colorado-Nebraska score today,” said defensive tackle Chris Mazyck, who returned an interception for a touchdown. “We have to tend to our own knitting.”

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno would not be dragged into the debate over No. 1. Instead, he echoed the thoughts of Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne, who left it to the voters to decide the best team.

“I don’t see Tom Osborne arguing that his kids are No. 1 . . . and I don’t see any reason I should,” Paterno said.

The Nittany Lions, 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten, sent Ohio State to its most lopsided loss since 1946, when it was defeated by Michigan, 58-6. Only a touchdown in the final three minutes helped the Buckeyes avoid their worst loss since 1902, an 86-0 beating by Michigan.

“It was absolutely embarrassing,” cornerback Marlon Kerner said. “Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine they would put up this big a win.”

Ohio State (6-3, 3-2) fell two games behind Penn State in the race for a Rose Bowl berth.

Penn State’s national title hopes might have been hurt when Oregon upset No. 9 Arizona, 10-9, meaning the Pacific 10 Conference representative in the Rose Bowl will have at least two losses.

“We’re just going to go out there and win every game and we’ll worry about the polls January 3rd,” Carter said.

Bobby Engram had six catches for 102 yards, including one touchdown and a highlight-film grab. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the half, Engram ran a short pattern and slipped, but he was able to recover and make a diving, one-handed catch at the Ohio State 36.

On the next play, Carter burst up the middle and broke Tito Paul’s flying tackle for his third touchdown to make the score 28-0.

Carter also scored on the Lions’ first possession, a 20-yard run up the middle helped by blocks from Keith Conlin and Engram.

With 56 seconds to play in the half, Ohio State quarterback Bobby Hoying threw a fluttering pass that Brian Miller intercepted at the Nittany Lion 43. Television replays showed that the ball bounced off the ground.

Three consecutive completions and a five-yard run set up Penn State’s next score. Collins threw a high pass to Mike Archie, who leaped and held on to the ball despite being hit by safety Tim Patillo. Penn State led, 35-0.

On the first play of the second half, Carter fumbled and Ohio State’s Matt Bonhaus recovered. That set up a 14-yard touchdown pass from Hoying to Chris Sanders, but the conversion attempt failed.

Penn State came right back, marching 58 yards in only four plays for another score.