SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Welcome to the demolition derby.

Penn State's high-octane offense just keeps hammering away, delivering more destruction each week.

The 17th-ranked Nittany Lions continued their season-long assault yesterday, pounding Syracuse's defense for 560 yards and seven touchdowns in a 55-13 rout at the Carrier Dome.

Penn State has outscored the opposition, 166-37, en route to a 3-0 start.

The Nittany Lions also have scored 35 or more points in the opening half of their first three games. The last time that happened was in 1994, when Penn State's offense led the country in scoring (47.8) and total offense (520.2).

"There are a lot of playmakers on this offense and I think they have the potential to be very good," said Jack Ham, a Penn State radio analyst and former Nittany Lions player who earned four Super Bowl rings as a Hall of Fame linebacker for the Steelers. "It's exciting to watch them out there."

Senior wide receivers Jordan Norwood and Deon Butler each played a half, yet put up big numbers.

Butler, held to three catches and no touchdowns in the first two games, had seven receptions for 110 yards and two scores in the opening 30 minutes yesterday as the Lions built a 38-6 lead. Norwood added five catches for 113 yards and two scores.

"Our wideouts are amazing," backup quarterback Pat Devlin said.

Starting quarterback Daryll Clark and Devlin each threw a pair of first-half touchdown passes.

Butler caught a 17-yard scoring pass from Clark in the first quarter on a beautiful diving grab and a 15-yarder from Devlin in the second.

Norwood snagged a 55-yard scoring pass from Clark in the first quarter and a 24-yarder from Devlin late in the second.

Butler's second touchdown catch was the 17th of his career and moved him into third place on the school's all-time list.

Clark finished 10 of 21 for 163 yards and Devlin 8 of 13 for 103 yards. Third-stringer Paul Cianciolo also got into the act, tossing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Rochester's Derek Moye late in the fourth quarter. It was Moye's first career touchdown reception.

"Coming into the season, we thought we had a chance to be a pretty good offense," Norwood said. "Things are working out well so far."

Starting tailback Evan Royster had 101 yards on 13 carries. Backup tailback Stephfon Green scored on a 2-yard run and fullback Dan Lawlor scored on a 1-yard plunge on his first carry of the season.

Penn State, which got a 52-yard field goal from Kevin Kelly and a 43-yarder from backup Collin Wagner, finished with 216 yards rushing and 344 passing.

"We have a dangerous offense," safety Anthony Scirrotto said.

The Lions held Syracuse to eight first downs, 49 yards rushing and 110 yards passing.

"I think we're a pretty good football team," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "I just don't know how good."

It could be argued that Penn State's offense hasn't exactly faced a stiff test yet, with easy wins against Coastal Carolina, Oregon State and Syracuse. Next on the menu will be Temple (1-2) at Beaver Stadium Saturday.

"Obviously, it would feel better to play a team that's not struggling as much from the standpoint that you get a feel for how good you are yourself," Butler said. "You can't help who you schedule."

And there was some more bad news on defense.

Mike Lucian, moved from offensive line to defensive line this week for depth purposes, rotated at the two tackle spots in the first half before limping off with a sprained ankle.

Paterno was asked if suspended starters -- end Maurice Evans and tackle Abe Koroma -- would be reinstated soon after sitting out for the second consecutive game. The two players are being investigated in connection with a recent incident at the Nittany Apartments where a small amount of marijuana was seized.

"I got to go back and talk to some people," Paterno said. "Obviously, I'd like to have them back, but I'm not sure that's gonna happen."

Asked if Evans and Koroma could possibly miss the rest of the year, Paterno said: "I don't want to speculate. I don't know."

•

NOTES-- Scirrotto's fumbled punt late in the second quarter led to Patrick Shadle's second 44-yard field goal. ... Lydell Sargeant's fumble recovery set up Norwood's first touchdown reception. ... Aaron Maybin collected his team-leading fourth sack. ... Nickel back Drew Astorino had an interception in the third quarter. ... Syracuse's Max Suter, from Greensburg Central Catholic, had five kickoff returns for 111 yards.