Penn State-Syracuse second-quarter updates

SYRACUSE, N.Y. --

1. In a bit of a surprise, backup quarterback Pat Devlin was under center early in the second quarter as Penn State continued its clobbering of Syracuse. Devlin didn't miss a beat, marching the Lions 74 yards in three plays to up the lead, 28-0. Devlin hit Butler for a 28-yard pass to open the scourge. Evan Roster then galloped 31 yards. And the drive ended when Butler caught a fade from Devlin for a 15-yard TD. I always got the idea from Butler's comments that he favored Devlin. It seems the two have great chemistry.

2. Whoa! Syracuse finally had it's first first down, moved into plus figures in total yards and managed to put some points on the board  -- all in one drive. It was a field goal, but a majestic 44-yarder, nonetheless. Please notice the sarcasm.

3. How about some props for the defense? Despite being shorthanded along the front line, the unit has made the Orange look like a mediocre high school squad. Tackles Jared Odrick and Ollie Ogbu have had mince meat of Syracuse running back Curtis Brinkley. The linebackers and defensive backs have given Orange quarterback Cameron Dantley almost nothing in the pass game.

4. Devlin and Norwood just hooked up for a 24-yard touchdown pass to put Penn State ahead, 35-3. The Lions have scored 35 points or more in the first half of all three games thus far. It's the first time the program has accomplished that feat -- now in hushed tones -- since 1994.

5. Kevin Kelly's 52-yard field goal ended the scoring and the first half with Penn State in front, 38-6. I think we'll ignore the second half, unless something newsworthy occurs.