Penn State 34, Kent State 0: Akeel Lynch, Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak combined for 278 rushing yards and four total touchdowns as the Nittany Lions cruised to a home victory over the Golden Flashes.

Lynch had 14 carries for a team-high 123 yards, while Belton contributed 90 yards on 13 attempts and Zwinak added all three of the Nittany Lions’ rushing touchdowns. Penn State (3-1) overcame subpar performances from freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg and junior wide receiver Allen Robinson thanks to its fierce running game and the Nittany Lions’ first shutout since Sept. 18, 2010 – also against Kent State.

Hackenberg finished just 13-of-35 for 176 yards with one interception and one touchdown – a first-quarter strike to Belton – while Robinson, the Big Ten’s leading receiver, added only three catches for 43 yards.

Penn State led 7-0 after one quarter before Zwinak added a short rushing TD in each of the final three stanzas to create plenty of separation between the teams. Three of the Nittany Lions’ scoring drives went at least 80 yards, two of which resulted in Zwinak crossing the goal line.

Meanwhile, Kent State (1-3) missed a 31-yard field goal on its opening possession and did not have a single drive last more than seven plays or 42 yards. The Golden Flashes’ passing attack was led by Colin Reardon (12-for-28, 100 yards) and Chris Humphrey, who caught five balls for 47 yards.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Zwinak has eight rushing touchdowns this season, including six in his last two games. … While the Nittany Lions’ rushing attack was dominant, the Golden Flashes managed only 2.3 yards per attempt, including an 11-carry, 38-yard effort from Trayion Durham. … Penn State K Sam Ficken made a career-long 54-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.