STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Trace McSorley isnt offended when he sees defenders packing the line of scrimmage, knowing their primary goal is to stop the electric running back lined up next to or behind him on any given play.The Penn State quarterback is content to build his own reputation as a playmaker, and eventually, a downfield-passer to be reckoned with.Although he and the rest of Penn States new-look offense started slowly in a 33-13 win over Kent State on Saturday, McSorley believes he made positive first steps toward that goal.When youve got Saquon (Barkley) in the backfield, teams are going to try to stop him, McSorley said. The first two drives we kind of got stalled out. The third drive we were able to get some first downs, push the ball down the field a little bit to our receivers to loosen them up a little bit and let Saquon get loose a couple of times.Barkley finished with 105 yards rushing, and Tyler Davis chipped in two field goals for the Nittany Lions. A 29-yard field goal in the second quarter gave Penn State a 16-13 halftime lead that grew as an opportunistic defense settled in and McSorley found receivers down the field.After hitting DaeSean Hamilton for a short touchdown pass in the first, McSorley slung a ball to Mike Gesicki for 30 yards to cap the scoring with less than two minutes to go. It was a satisfying finish for the quarterback whod tried to stretch Kent States underrated front seven early with deep throws to Saeed Blacknall and Gesicki that just missed.In the process, McSorley showed off own grittiness as a runner, chipping in 47 yards on the ground and lowering his head to finish off tacklers.I thought his composure was really good, Penn State coach James Franklin said. Thats just kind of who he is.Amani Oruwariye returned an interception for a score in the third quarter for the Nittany Lions who battered a trio of Kent State quarterbacks, sacking them seven times and forcing two more turnovers.Shane Hynes kicked two field goals for Kent State, and Elcee Refuge returned a McSorley fumble for a touchdown in the second quarter.ALL OR NOTHING FRONTPenn State safety Marcus Allen said earlier this week he and his defensive teammates had something to prove even after being ranked among the best defenses in college football each of the past two years.He understands losing three defensive linemen to the NFL will generate questions of the new guys. After Saturdays sack-filled performance, they have plenty to be proud of. But scrambling quarterbacks are still a problem.Kent States threesome of Justin Agner, Mylik Mitchell and George Bollas combined for 50 first-half yards on in scrambles or designed quarterbacks runs. Many came up the middle where defensive tackles Parker Cothren and Kevin Givens made their first career starts.It was either a sack or it was a scramble for a first down, Franklin said. Weve got to do a better job with our rush lanes on that side of the ball.INTERCHANGEABLE PARTSPerhaps Penn States greatest strength is the versatility it has among its back seven.The Nittany Lions showed a multitude of nickel looks with different linebacker and corner combinations. Penn State deployed a total of eight defensive backs and five linebackers to limit 129 yards on just 14-of-28 passing.Weve always been underrated since weve been here, Oruwariye said.THE TAKEAWAYKENT STATE: The Golden Flashes havent had much going for them offensively in quite a while, but their defense remains stout enough to give them hope.Kent States front seven kept the game within reach by limiting Barkleys running room early. Vaunted pass-rusher Terence Waugh killed a big wave of Penn State momentum midway through the second quarter when he hammered McSorley from his blindside, forcing a fumble that Refuge returned for a touchdown to tie the game 13-13. If Waugh can keep making plays, the Golden Flashes will have chances to turn games around.PENN STATE: A coordinator change doesnt guarantee immediate success. Saturdays sluggish start and uneven performance shows Joe Moorheads offense will need more time for all its parts to get on the same page.And the sooner the better as games loom against No. 7 Michigan, No. 6 Ohio State, and Maryland, teams that hung at least 52 points on its opponents in their openers. A bunch of missed tackles against Kent State is further evidence that Penn States offense will have to pull more weight than it has in the two previous years when elite defenses could bail it out.UP NEXTKent State will try to snap its six-game losing streak when it hosts FCS foe North Carolina A&T next Saturday.Penn State and Pittsburgh will renew a long-dormant rivalry when the Nittany Lions travel to Heinz Field next Saturday for the first game in a home-and-home series. Penn State leads the series 50-42-4 and has won seven of the last eight. Pittsburgh won the last meeting 12-0 in 2000. Cheap Blue Jackets Jerseys China . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. http://www.cheapbluejacketsjerseys.com/ . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. Cheap Blue Jackets Jerseys . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Cheap Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- LaQuincy Rideau scored 17 points and Tyrell Nelson and David Efianayi each tallied 15 points, leading Gardner-Webb past Hampton 69-63 on Wednesday night.Gardner Webb (5-4) has now won three straight and five of its last six games.Rideaus jumper gave Gardner-Webb a 57-47 lead with 5:03 to play. Kalin Fisher later made a 3 to bring the Pirates to within 63-58 with 1:25 remaining. The Bulldogs sealed the game from the free throw line.Earlier, Fishers layup with 7:26 to play cut the Pirates deficit to 50-45, but Hampton couldnt get closer than five in the second half.ddddddddddddhe Bulldogs led 29-22 at halftime.The score was tied at 6 when Gardner-Webb went on a 15-6 run and took control of the game. Hamptons 16 turnovers led to 12 points for the Bulldogs.Lawrence Cooks led Hampton with 17 points and AJ Astroth scored 16 points and registered a career-high 15 rebounds. ' ' '