Maryland Runs Into Penn State Buzz Saw : Nonconference: The Nittany Lions are ‘almost flawless’ in 70-7 victory, piling up 659 yards and holding Terrapins to 191.

Penn State figured it had to score quite a few points to beat Maryland.

Seventy was more than enough, particularly in light of the way the ninth-ranked Nittany Lions shut down Maryland’s high-powered offense.

Ki-Jana Carter scored three of Penn State’s six first-half touchdowns, and the Nittany Lions limited Maryland to 191 yards Saturday night in a 70-7 victory.

“We knew we had to put some points on the board and we couldn’t turn it over. We knew it would be a tough football game,” Penn State Coach Joe Paterno said. “Of course, it ended up getting out of hand.”

Penn State (5-0) built a 46-7 halftime lead and coasted to its most lopsided victory in a one-sided rivalry. The Lions are 35-1-1 against the Terrapins, whose only victory came in 1961.

It was the second-worst loss in Maryland history, behind a 76-0 loss to Navy in 1913.

“Penn State is an outstanding football team and deserving of their ranking,” Maryland Coach Mark Duffner said. “They were almost flawless.”

Penn State had 526 rushing yards in 56 attempts and finished with 659 total yards.

Carter finished with a career-high 159 yards in 13 carries, scoring on runs of 63, four and 36 yards. Mike Archie carried 11 times for a career-best 120 yards and a touchdown.

Maryland (0-5), which had been averaging 507 yards and 34 points per game, could muster only 91 yards in the first half, including minus-seven on the ground.

The Terrapins’ Scott Milanovich, who led the nation in passing, threw three interceptions and was sacked five times. He was 19 for 32 for 158 yards before leaving early in the fourth quarter.

“I felt like I had my hands tied,” Milanovich said.

Paterno passed on the credit: “Our defensive coaches did a good job and our kids did a real intelligent job.”

Penn State reached the 70-point barrier when Brian Milne scored on a 10-yard run with 1:29 left.

“I don’t like ballgames like this,” Paterno said. “I would have preferred a closer game. A game like this doesn’t prove anything.”