PISCATAWAY, N.J. — There is never any mystery when Penn State plays Rutgers in Big Ten play.

The Lions always win. The Scarlet Knights look helpless on offense.

It happened again Saturday at SHI Stadium when the 11th-ranked Lions bulldozed Greg Schiano’s team 55-10.

Penn State’s offensive numbers looked good: 436 total yards, 237 rushing yards and a 117-yard performance from freshman running back Kaytron Allen. His classmate, Nick Singleton, chipped in a 100-yard kickoff return for a score in the first quarter.

But as has been the case throughout November, the day belonged to Penn State’s defense.

And in a game that the Lions piled up 15 tackles for loss (four sacks), forced three turnovers, scored twice and set up another touchdown, it might have been a play by cornerback Kalen King that best detailed what it’s been like to face Manny Diaz’s unit during the last three weeks.

James Franklin’s 9-2 team was already well on its way to yet another comfortable win over Rutgers, leading 28-10 at the start of the third quarter.

But the Scarlet Knights (4-7, 1-7) finally were able to generate a big play on their first snap of the third quarter.

Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt, running for cover most of the game, teamed with wideout Sean Ryan on a 55-yard catch-and run on a slant pattern on the right side.

Ryan was in the clear, and he would have scored on more than a few Big Ten defenses. But King, who did not have the primary coverage on Ryan, ran down the receiver at the Penn State 20. In doing so, King made up about 10 yards or so on Ryan.

Three plays later, Lions outside linebacker Curtis Jacobs shook free on a seven-man pressure and sacked Wimsatt for a 10-yard loss, knocking the ball loose. Penn State safety Ji’Ayir Brown scooped up the ball and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown.

Penn State increased its lead to 35-10 with 14:06 left in the third quarter, and whatever fight was left in the hosts disappeared.

Diaz’s defense had done it again. And the Lions, playing without top corner Joey Porter Jr., got major contributions from defenders at every level.

King, who led the Big Ten in pass breakups (13) entering the game, continues to find different ways to disrupt offenses, taking his cue from Diaz, one of the sport’s most aggressive defensive coordinators.

“That’s Kalen,” said Penn State corner Johnny Dixon, whose second-quarter interception positioned the Lions’ offense for the touchdown that made it 21-10. “We’ve got faith in Kalen. He can make plays. It was a big play when we needed it.”

Kalen’s twin brother, middle linebacker Kobe King, put the Lions ahead to stay late in the first quarter when he returned a fumble by Rutgers tight end Johnny Langan 14 yards for a score.

Reserve PSU corner Marquis Wilson tackled Langan for a loss on the play and forced the fumble. The defensive score triggered a 48-0 run by the Lions.

“I know he’s a playmaker, so some stuff surprises me, some stuff don’t surprise me,” Kobe said of his brother Kalen. “He’s always making plays.”

Penn State has won three consecutive games, and the Lions are 9-0 vs. Rutgers in Big Ten play. In those games, the Knights have scored a total of 49 points, six fewer than PSU scored Saturday.

In victories over Indiana (45-14), Maryland (30-0) and Rutgers, the Lions have produced 40 tackles for loss. They have 88 tackles for loss this season and 72 pass breakups. The aggressive approach has led to 20 forced turnovers — 11 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries.

Freshman linebacker Abdul Carter continues to be a menace for foes with his combination of speed and power. He had two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry.

Jacobs, who missed the Maryland game with an undisclosed injury, finished with two tackles for loss, a pass breakup and that sack and forced fumble on Brown’s score.

In eight of Penn State’s nine victories, the defense has held opponents to 84 total points. Depth and speed. Diaz’s Lions come in waves, and they get there in a hurry.

“That’s how you wanna play, that’s why you come to Penn State to be a linebacker, to cause havoc,” Jacobs said. “A coach that puts you in those positions to cause havoc, that’s incredibly important.”

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