STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Daryll Clark threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 9 Penn State celebrated coach Joe Paterno's return to the sideline with a 31-7 win Saturday over Akron in the season opener.

A tenacious defense overwhelmed the Zips' spread attack, holding Akron to 186 yards of total offense. Akron didn't record a first down until the third quarter, with Penn State leading by 31.

The Nittany Lions scored on their opening drive on a 5 yard run by Evan Royster and never looked back. Graham Zug's leaping 19-yard touchdown catch gave Penn State a 31-point cushion just before halftime. Clark threw for 254 yards in the first half alone, a school record.

It was a happy return for Paterno in his first game on the sideline since hip replacement surgery last November.