COLUMBUS, Ohio -- All week in practice, Penn State worked on its special teams, trying to work out the kinks. And after all the work, what did the Nittany Lions get? A mix anything but blended. This was a concoction, part smooth and part nasty.

In the 21-10 loss to Ohio State yesterday, the Lions' special teams triggered an early deficit, then helped keep the game close.

The Buckeyes scored the first touchdown on a 67-yard punt return by speedy freshman Ted Ginn Jr., who raced past 11 Penn State players en route to the end zone.

After the game, Ohio State players spoke with disbelief about Ginn's speed, joking that they were happy not to play against him.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno didn't find the scenario quite as amusing.

"We make the kicking game our top priority during the week," Paterno said, "and then we get beaten badly."

Not everywhere, though.

In the fourth quarter, Penn State defensive lineman Scott Paxson blocked a 49-yard field-goal attempt by Mike Nugent. Paxson, a virtuoso as a kick-blocker, has six such blocks in his career, four this season -- even though teammates kid him about his short "T-Rex arms."

In addition, Jeremy Kapinos -- helped by a low kick, a 30-yard bounce and thick winds blowing from behind him uncorked a 78-yard punt.

Kapinos, taking the snap, stood inside his own 10 when kicking. Penn State downed the ball at OSU's 1. It was the longest Penn State punt since 1930.

"I would have liked it to come under better circumstances," Kapinos said, "but, yeah, it felt good.

"Overall, I thought we did a good job on special teams. We had some good punts and we blocked a field-goal attempt. However, we made a few mistakes on one play, and it changed the outcome of the game."

Back in the fold

Third-string halfback Rodney Kinlaw had three carries since the opener before yesterday. In other words, .5 carries per game.

Yesterday, he returned to the mix, giving the Lions' offense a lift in the second quarter.

When Kinlaw ducked behind the right side of the Penn State line and broke off a 20-yard run, it was the longest by a PSU running back since Tony Hunt's 24-yard run Sept. 25.

Hunt later added a 26-yard run of his own.

For the game, Kinlaw finished with 21 yards on five carries.

"We work in and out in practice," Kinlaw said of his playing time.

"So that's how we did it today."

Hall in the box

Offensive coordinator Galen Hall, usually on the Penn State sidelines, sat in a press box booth yesterday. He was accompanied by Jay Paterno, the team's quarterbacks coach, who always sits in the booth

"We thought it was maybe a little change of pace," Paterno said. "And Galen didn't have to listen to me [complaining], so it was a good break for him."

Trick or ...?

Trying to add a little razzle-dazzle to an offense that's been anything but dazzling this season, Penn State tried a halfback toss pass in the second quarter.

As Tony Hunt took a pitch to the right and readied to throw, tight end Isaac Smolko broke open.

Hunt's throw, however, landed several feet short.

This and that

Quarterback Zack Mills did not play, but he was in uniform. He wore headphones while standing on the sideline. Paterno said Mills could have played in an emergency. ... Andrew Guman suffered a chest contusion in the fourth quarter and did not return. ... On his second carry, tailback Austin Scott took a blow to the head and showed signs of a concussion. As a precaution, he did not receive a carry after the first quarter. ... In the all-time series between Penn State and Ohio State, both teams now have 10 victories.