UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State made sure its 52-3 non-conference victory against Division I-AA Eastern Illinois yesterday will never be on ESPN Classic again.

To no one's surprise, the first meeting between the No. 14 Nittany Lions and Panthers proved to be a classic mismatch, as well as unfit for television.

Quarterback Daryll Clark threw three first-half touchdown passes and the offense packed in a season-high 553 yards, including 285 rushing, as the Lions improved to 5-1.

Outside linebacker Navorro Bowman also returned a fumble 91 yards for a score with five seconds left in the first half and Penn State's defense shut down the undermanned Panthers (4-2), who were ranked No. 25 in both Division I-AA polls.

"I think overall it was a pretty good workout," coach Joe Paterno said.

Penn State, playing at Beaver Stadium for the first time since losing to Iowa, scored on five of its first six possessions to build a 38-0 halftime lead.

Four of those scores came in the final 7:27 of the second quarter as Clark connected with three different wide receivers -- a 2-yarder to Brett Brackett, a 51-yarder to Chaz Powell and a 25-yarder to Derek Moye from Rochester High School.

It was Moye's third touchdown reception this year and was set up by Andrew Dailey's blocked punt.

"It wasn't the easiest game to get up for," Moye said. "But we wanted to go out and prove what we were capable of doing."

Clark, who has 12 touchdown passes, completed 13 of 19 passes for 234 yards. He scored the game's first touchdown on a 1-yard run. He was not sacked but did throw an interception. He has seven for the season after throwing six all last year.

At 2:45 to go in the third quarter he was replaced by true freshman Kevin Newsome, who later scored his first career touchdown on a 9-yard scamper. Backup tailback Stephfon Green added a 26-yard touchdown and Collin Wagner, a 25-yard field goal for the final score of the game.

"We were so balanced today," Clark said. "We ran it hard and passed the ball well and guys got open and made yards after the catch. When both are working, it's kind of hard to stop an offense."

Penn State's defense still has not allowed a touchdown in the first half. The Lions surrendered just three points -- a 43-yard field goal by Austin Signor in the third quarter. They held the Panthers to 206 yards offense and 59 yards on the ground.

Penn State sacked Eastern Illinois quarterback Jake Christensen five times and intercepted him once. Defensive tackle Jared Odrick had two sacks, while linebacker Chris Colasanti, defensive end Jack Crawford and defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu had one each.

On a third-and-goal play from the 8 late in the first half, Ogbu dropped Christensen for a 1-yard loss. Christensen fumbled and Bowman scooped it up at the 9 and ran it back for his first career touchdown.

It was the longest return since 1973, which is as far back as the school can trace the record.

"That was a long run," Bowman said. "I was tired. I stumbled. I just wanted to make it to the goal line."

Tailback Evan Royster led Penn State with 94 yards rushing on 8 carries, an 11.8 average. Middle linebacker Josh Hull was in double figures in tackles for the fifth consecutive game, finishing with a team-high 11. Cornerback A.J. Wallace added an interception.

"We're a better team than we were a few weeks ago," Paterno said.

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NOTES -- Ako Poti made his first career start at right tackle. He replaced Nerraw McCormack (ankle). DeOn'tae Pannell (ankle) also sat out after starting the first four games. ... Outside linebacker Sean Lee (sprained left knee) missed his third consecutive game and is questionable for Saturday's game against Minnesota. ... Cornerback Knowledge Timmons (knee) was injured on the first play of the game and was used sparingly. ... Offensive tackle Mike Farrell, a redshirt freshman from Shady Side Academy, saw playing time as Dennis Landolt's backup at left tackle. ... True freshman Justin Brown returned punts for the first time and had three returns for 24 yards. He also had three catches for 45. ... True freshman Jordan Hill saw his first action at defensive tackle. ... Brackett's line this year: 2 catches for minus-5 yards and a touchdown.

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