UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State wide receiver Derek Moye is lean and long and he has been coming on strong.

He has rapidly developed into quarterback Daryll Clark's top target.

"I didn't really anticipate being the go-to guy," Moye said. "I knew I'd have a chance to go to camp this summer and improve myself. I knew there would be voids to fill and that I'd have to work hard.

"My route-running has improved throughout the year. My strength is getting better. I've worked on my blocking a lot."

Moye, a 6-foot-5, 198-pound redshirt sophomore from Rochester High School, was a second-stringer at the start of preseason practice. By the time the regular season began, he had streaked past Brett Brackett to claim the starting job.

Moye leads the Nittany Lions with 39 receptions for 648 yards. He is tied with fellow wide receiver Graham Zug for the team lead with five touchdown receptions.

Moye's 16.6-yard average is best among the Big Ten's top 10 receptions leaders. He ranks fifth in the conference with 72 yards per game and ninth in catches with 4.33.

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Scouting report

Matchup: No. 11 Penn State (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) vs. No. 15 Ohio State (7-2, 4-1), 3:30 p.m. today, Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions are favored by 3 1/2.

TV/Radio/Internet: WTAE; WEAE-AM (1250); Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.

Penn State: QB Daryll Clark has 26 TD passes in past 12 games. ... Is 26 for 26 in red zone past six games (19 TDs, 7 FGs). ... DE Jack Crawford is sixth in Big Ten in tackles for loss (13). ... OLB Sean Lee is fifth in career tackles (288). ... Has won 5 in a row.

Ohio State: QB Terrelle Pryor has team-high 554 yards rushing. ... Coach Jim Tressel is 90-21 in nine years. ... Is 26-8 in Big Ten road games under Tressel. ... WR DeVier Posey has 43 catches for 595 yards and 6 TDs. ... LB Brian Rolle leads team with 68 tackles.

Hidden stat: Penn State has outscored its opponents, 163-34, in the first half this season.

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"He's definitely been a deep threat for us," Clark said. "He's also been a guy that's come through for us. ... With him having that height, he may seem like a real beanstalk, real thin or whatnot, but he's a strong kid."

Moye figures to be a big weapon again today when No. 11 Penn State (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) takes on No. 15 Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) at Beaver Stadium in what amounts to an elimination game in the conference race.

The Lions and Buckeyes are both looking for their first win against a ranked opponent this season.

"We definitely feel that we have something to prove," Moye said. "There's a whole bunch of talk about how we haven't played anybody yet, and the only good team we played was Iowa and we lost to them. We try to put that in the back of our head.

"But at the same time, it's Ohio State. ... We want to go out there and just show everybody that we're capable of playing with teams like this."

Moye has produced three 100-yard receiving games in his nine starts, including a career-high 138 yards in the season-opener against Akron.

He has eclipsed 100 yards twice in the past three games, with 120 at home against Minnesota and 123 at Northwestern. He also has a combined 18 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns during that stretch.

"He's doing really well," coach Joe Paterno said. "He's a big kid that can run and he's a good competitor. He does a heck of a job blocking. I think he's getting better all the time, which should happen as he has the kind of success he has been getting. ... He's obviously a very, very strong factor in the outcome of our football games."

Moye, a three-time, first-team Class A all-state selection in high school, gives the Lions a combination of size, strength and speed.

He won PIAA titles in 2007 in both the 200 and 400 meters while at Rochester. He has been clocked at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Penn State.

"He definitely has worked hard to improve," Clark said. "When his number is called, he does a tremendous job of getting open and making plays. And I feel he's going to get better."

Moye isn't much of a trash talker, preferring to let his play speak for him.

"There are times when you play where people talk and try to get me off my game," Moye said. "If I talk back, it means they've been successful at it. I just like to go out there and let my performance do the talking."

If you like offense, though, you might be in for a long day.

Penn State's defense ranks first in the country in fewest points allowed (9.3 ppg) and fifth in run defense (84.1 ypg) and total defense (254.8 ypg).

Ohio State's defense ranks sixth in fewest points allowed (12 ppg), run defense (86.4 ypg) and total defense (260 ypg).

"Both defenses are great defenses and I would hope that our defense can keep playing like they are right now," Moye said. "And I would hope that our offense can keep playing the way we are and not let Ohio State's defense get to us."

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