MADISON, Wis. -- Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark was expected to be a serious running threat this season.

But he has shaken the label so far by staying in the pocket to pass.

"When I get asked, 'What would you rather do, run in on a touchdown or throw one?' I would rather throw one," Clark said. "You have to be able to throw the ball in the Big Ten. You can't just rely on your legs, and that's something that I really worked on this offseason."

Clark, who will lead No. 6 Penn State against Wisconsin tonight at Camp Randall Stadium, is completing 64.5 percent of his passes. He has completed 80 of 124 for 1,116 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception.

He also has rushed for 133 yards and four scores.

"What people don't realize is if Daryll could not run, he's a pro quarterback prospect," quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno said. "He can throw the ball consistently. He can throw the ball for completion percentage.

"He can throw the ball downfield. He can do a lot of things with the ball as a passer. He is a passer first. The running part is secondary."

Clark ranks No. 11 nationally with a pass efficiency rating of 162.4. He is sixth in the Big Ten in passing yardage (186.0 yards per game) and sixth in total offense (208.2).

Even so, he could be asked to run more against the Badgers, who were burned by Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor's feet last week. He led the Buckeyes to a 20-17 victory, scoring the winning touchdown on an 11-yard run with a little more than a minute remaining.

"When in doubt, I always can run," Clark said. "But I have faith in my receivers, and I have faith in my arm to get the ball where it needs to be."

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is looking for improvement from his quarterback.

He said fifth-year senior Allan Evridge, a transfer from Kansas State, must play better against the Nittany Lions or risk losing his starting job.

Evridge has committed six turnovers in the two losses, fumbling three times and tossing three interceptions.

He is completing 56.6 percent of his passes (69 of 122) for 899 yards this season. He has tossed five touchdowns and four interceptions.

"Allan's going to start [tonight] and be our quarterback," Bielema said. "But there comes a point in time where you have to make an assessment of where we are as a football team.

"The part that Allan has to be able to improve upon more than anything is probably his accuracy as a passer. There's a number of plays in the last two games in particular -- and they've surfaced in every game -- where the ball might be a little behind [the receivers], a little over them, a little under them."

The Badgers started the year 3-0 and were ranked as high as No. 8 before suffering back-to-back losses to Big Ten rivals Michigan (27-25) and Ohio State.

Wisconsin blew a 19-0 halftime lead against the Wolverines on the road and then the Buckeyes snapped its 16-game home-winning streak.

"We're five points away from being a 5-0 football team," Bielema said.

A year ago, Wisconsin began the season 5-0 and was ranked No. 5 before losing consecutive road games at Illinois (31-26) and Penn State (38-7).

"I'm pretty sure they're going to be champing at the bit about this game," Clark said. "I'm pretty sure their coaches are going to be like, 'You guys remember what happened last year, we can't allow it to happen this year.' It was a pretty big win for us. We were clicking on all cylinders that game.

"They're going to be amped for this game. Like I said, it's another prime-time game at night at Camp Randall. It is one of the most hostile stadiums to play in for a road team."

Matchup: No. 6 Penn State (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) vs. Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2), 8 p.m., Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wis. Nittany Lions favored by 5¹/₂ points.

TV/Radio: ESPN; WEAE-AM (1250) and Penn State Sports Network. Game also can be heard at www.GoPSUsports.com.

Penn State: KR Derrick Williams is third in the nation in return average (33.4 yards). He is the only player in the country that has returned two kickoffs for TDs. ... Is 2-3 at Camp Randall Stadium. ... Leads the Big Ten in scoring (44.8 ppg).

Wisconsin: Owns an 8-5 advantage in the series, including a 6-5 edge since Penn State joined Big Ten in 1993. ... Has held four opponents to 20 points or fewer. ... TB P.J. Hill, pictured, is fourth in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally in rushing (102.4 ypg).

Hidden stat: Since 1993, the visiting team has won five of the 11 meetings.Game