STATE COLLEGE — This is not the way Penn State wanted to start its stretch run.

A Nittany Lions defense once considered one of the best in the country faces some tough questions after being dominated Saturday night by No. 1 Ohio State, 37-17.

The Buckeyes (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten) outgained the Nittany Lions 453-263 and held the ball for 38 minutes. They converted 12 of 16 third-down plays along with one fourth down.

Ohio State's mastery of Penn State (6-3, 3-3) was even more impressive considering that it came at one of the toughest road environments — a capacity crowd at Beaver Stadium at night.

"We couldn't stop them," a somber coach Joe Paterno said.

Gone is the sliver of hope Penn State had of wiggling itself into a BCS bowl game in this topsy-turvy college football season.

The Nittany Lions fell out of the AP Top 25 this week. After giving up at least 31 points for the second straight game, even a New Year's Day bowl berth may be in question.

Penn State is just focusing on regaining its defensive swagger this week in practice before starting its season-ending three-game stretch with the home finale Nov. 3 against Purdue.

There is plenty of room for improvement.

"They ran it on us and that opened up the pass, and vice versa," said linebacker Dan Connor, who had 18 tackles and an interception. "We did not play that great as a defense."

Penn State sacked quarterback Todd Boeckman just once after entering the night leading the country in sacks. Ohio State's massive linemen opened up holes for tailbacks Chris Wells (133 yards) and Maurice Wells (55 yards).

Standout linebackers Connor and Sean Lee (13 tackles) weren't enough to turn the tide.

"They were fighting all day. I could sense they just were a little frustrated because it seemed like we could never get ourselves in sync as it went on," defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said about his unit.

Perhaps of most concern to Paterno is the play of the secondary, thought to have been one of the strengths of the squad at the start of the season.

Indiana's combination of quarterback Kellen Lewis and wideout James Hardy burned them two weeks ago.

On Saturday, it was Boeckman having a field day, going 19-of-26 for 253 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

Ohio State's 91-yard touchdown drive in the first half was the longest allowed all season by Penn State. Receiver Ray Small's 60-yard completion was the longest play from scrimmage against the defense.

Whether short, deep or over the middle, Penn State could rarely shut down Boeckman.

Paterno wasn't about to point fingers.

"Offensively, they were just one step ahead of us all night," he said. "You can't start blaming the secondary or this guy or that guy."

The defense also had to cope with the last-minute absence of safety Tony Davis, who had his appendix removed Friday. Bradley said he only found out about Davis on Friday night.

That forced backup Mark Rubin, a converted receiver who had never started at safety, into the starting lineup. Davis could be out for two to four weeks.

Bradley took some of the blame for Saturday's outcome.

"I think a lot of that may have to do with some of the things that I'm doing with them," he said. "I've got to take a good, hard look at myself. ... I hate to say they don't play well."