CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Ron Zook knew reversing Illinois' football fortunes would be tough, so the Illini's struggles this season are not a surprise. But after the Illini allowed an average of 49 points in four Big Ten games, including more than 60 in consecutive home games, the coach's task seems monumental.

"I'm about as low as I've been in a while," Zook said after Saturday night's 63-10 loss to Penn State. The win moved the Nittany Lions from 12th to 11th in the new Associated Press poll released Sunday.

"Eventually we'll get over this," Zook said. "Eventually we'll get a break and get over it. We've just got to keep pounding away."

The Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) scored eight touchdowns before halftime to give coach Joe Paterno his 350th career victory. Michael Robinson had his way with the Illini secondary, throwing four TD passes in the first quarter. He ran for two more scores in the second quarter and Penn State led 56-3 at the break.

"You never expect it to be this easy," Robinson said after completing 11 of 18 passes for 194 yards and leading the team in rushing with 69 yards on seven carries.

The Illini (2-5, 0-4) scored on the opening drive of the game when Jason Reda kicked a 41-yard field goal with 10:14 left in the first quarter. But it took Robinson only 1:16 to put Penn State ahead.

After Tony Hunt's 3-yard rush up the middle, Robinson hit Deon Butler for 29 yards to the Illinois 35. On the next play, Robinson found Ethan Kilmer free over the middle and he outran two Illini defenders to the end zone.

Robinson hit Butler from 31 and 19 yards and Patrick Hall from 3 yards out on Penn State's next three possessions and the Lions had a 28-3 lead after one quarter.

"They made plays," said Illini defensive coordinator Mike Mallory. "There were some times early where we were a step late, and then we weren't where we needed to be as far as covering the (receiver)."

Penn State's 56 first-half points set a school record for scoring in a half, breaking the old mark of 55 set in the first half of a 70-0 victory over Fordham on Oct. 11, 1947. The victory keeps the Nittany Lions in a first-place tie with Wisconsin in the Big Ten and moves Paterno's record to 350-117-3 in his 40th season as coach.

Dan Connor returned a fumble 18 yards for a TD, Rodney Kinlaw scored on a 1-yard run and Nolan McCready returned an interception 76 yards for Penn State's final score in the third quarter.

Illinois scored with 2:19 left in the game when Chris Pazan threw a 3-yard pass to Rashard Mendenhall.

The defeat was the worst for Illinois since a 69-13 loss to Michigan on Nov. 1, 1986, and marked the second consecutive home game that the Illini have given up more than 60 points, after a 61-14 loss to Michigan State on Sept. 24.

"We can't let guys come in here and do what they're doing to us at home," said Illini quarterback Tim Brasic, who completed eight of his 16 passes, but for only 49 yards. "Our last two home games have been just embarrassing."

Penn State plays at home next week against Purdue. Illinois plays host to Wisconsin.