COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Penn State did everything necessary to secure another easy victory over Maryland — passed efficiently, ran effectively and played relentless defense.
And, as usual, the Terrapins offered little resistance.
Sean Clifford threw for 398 yards and three touchdowns, ran for a score and carried No. 12 Penn State to a typically easy victory over Maryland, a 59-0 blowout Friday night that typified the one-sided nature of this regional series.
Penn State scored on its first four possessions, led 38-0 at halftime and finished with 619 yards in its Big Ten opener. After Jan Johnson got things started by ending Maryland's first possession with an interception, Clifford cruised into the end zone from the 8 and the rout was on.
"Right from the start we didn't give ourselves a chance, and for us, that was the disappointing part," first-year coach Mike Locksley said.
After halftime, most of fans remaining from a rare sellout crowd of 53,228 at Maryland were the several thousand cheering for the Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0).
"It was one of the more complete games that we have played in our six years, really in all three phases," said coach James Franklin, a former Maryland assistant who took over at Penn State in 2014.
Clifford said, "I agree with that 100 percent. You win a lot of games when teams don't score and we score a lot. That's just down to basics. I'm really proud of how both sides executed today, special teams as well. It was a complete win."
Because the Terrapins (2-2, 0-1) won their first two games at home by a combined 122 points and Penn State was coming off a tight 17-10 win over Pittsburgh, the Nittany Lions were favored by only a touchdown.
But past performances held true. Penn State leads the series 40-2-1, winning the previous three by scores of 38-14, 66-3, 38-3 before adding this romp — the Terrapins' worst home shutout lost ever — to the list.
How can Maryland turn it around?
"Good teams don't beat themselves," Locksley said.
Maryland had three turnovers, was penalized nine times for 85 yards and tackled poorly.
Clifford threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to KJ Hamler for a 14-0 lead, connected with Nick Bowerson on a 15-yarder to make it 28-0 and hit Journey Brown for 37 yards for a 35-point cushion.
After making his 14-for-30 performance against Pittsburgh a distant memory, Clifford remained on the sideline with 5:45 left in the third quarter and Penn State up 45-0.
"I took that Pitt game very personal," Clifford said. "I had a lot of issues that I saw on the tape. I knew that I needed to make some corrections to be where we want to be."