Tom Oates: Grading Badgers' performance in loss to Nittany Lions | College Football

Jonathan Taylor got UW off to a flying start with a 71-yard touchdown run and totaled 185 rushing yards, but got no help. Five sacks and four pre-snap penalties are not so good for a line called the nation's best. Jack Coan threw a touchdown pass because he was guiding the ball instead of cutting loose.

By hook or by crook, Penn State's defense kept out of the end zone in the second half. UW's inability to stop Miles Sanders – 159 yards, 23 rushes – allowed Penn State to control the ball. The linebackers took turns putting heat on Trace McSorely, but McSorley's goal was 19-for-25 passing. Zack Baun led the way with 1 1/2 sacks.

Isaiahh Loudermilk used his long arm to block at Penn State field-goal try at the end of the first half. Aron Cruickshank followed orders by making fair-catches on two high kickoffs inside the 5-yard line. Connor Allen's lack of strength shows on a blustery day. Noah Burks forced a fumble on a kickoff goal UW could not recover.

Ten games into the season Paul Chryst still has an average passing game. It's killing UW. Jim Leonhard used stunts and delays to get tough on the quarterback. One of the few times Leonhard rushed three, McSorely hit Jahan Dotson for 30 yards on third-and-17.

The defense was stubborn in the red zone, but the offense lost two fumbles and two interceptions and the passing game had a net gain of 60 yards, wasting a 252-yard rushing day by the tailbacks. The Badgers lost their third consecutive road game with a 6-4 record in a season that began in the top 10.