Penn State Wakes Up to Topple Temple, 48-21 : Nonconference: After a slow start, Nittany Lions pull away despite Carter’s thumb injury.

PHILADELPHIA — Freddie Scott caught three touchdown passes and Jon Witman ran for two scores as No. 4 Penn State overcame a terrible start and an injury to star running back Ki-Jana Carter to defeat Temple, 48-21, Saturday at Franklin Field.

Carter dislocated his right thumb in the second quarter after accumulating 178 all-purpose yards.

Temple (2-2), a 44 1/2-point underdog, led, 6-0, at the end of the first quarter, the first time the Nittany Lions (5-0) had trailed this season.

Temple quarterback Henry Burris led the Owls on two early drives that ended in field goals, using a variety of draws and short passes to take advantage of a banged-up Penn State defense that was missing two starters on the line.

“After the first quarter, I could see the goal posts falling down and Philly going crazy,” Burris said. “But I knew they were too strong and they were going to strike back because they’re so explosive.”

Penn State took over in the second quarter, as Kerry Collins engineered several long scoring drives. After Temple had pulled to within 21-12 with 1:14 left in the half, Penn State marched quickly downfield and Collins hit Scott with a 21-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left. A failed two-point conversion pass made it 27-12 at halftime.

Collins finished 12 of 19 for 286 yards and three touchdowns.

“We played our guts out,” Temple Coach Ron Dickerson said. “We weren’t intimidated.

“We’re still a year and a half away from competing with teams of this caliber,” said Dickerson, a Penn State assistant from 1985-90.