Carolyn Kaster / AP

Penn State coach Joe Paterno holds a bouquet of roses after the No. 7 Nittany Lions beat No. 17 Michigan State 49-18 to win the Big Ten title Saturday.

The Spartans (9-3, 6-2) went to a hurry-up offense late in the first half to finally break through, and Ringer, third in the nation in rushing coming into the game, plunged in from the 1 with 22 seconds left to cut it to 28-7. It was Ringer’s 21st touchdown of the season, tying him with Jehuu Caulcrick (2007) for most in school history.

But the game was too far out of reach by then.

A disappointed Ringer credited Penn State’s conference-best rush defense and the dominant defensive line.

“It was definitely rough up there,” Ringer said. “No matter how good the running back is you cannot do anything without your offensive line, you know, being pretty dominant up front, and today just wasn’t the best day.”

After struggling in the first half the last three weeks, Penn State’s spread HD offense clicked all day, with Clark finishing 16-of-26 passing. Williams had 51 yards receiving on four catches.

Jordan Norwood had a career-high 127 yards on five receptions. All of Butler’s receptions were for touchdowns, from four, 59, and a 70-yarder that gave Penn State a 42-7 lead in the third quarter.

The second half was a mere formality before the eager crowd could officially celebrate Penn State’s first conference title since 2005, when the Nittany Lions also shared it with the Buckeyes.

Retirement isn’t on the agenda for JoePa, but hip replacement surgery likely is. He said it’ll likely happen within the next week.

The coach also made it a point to thank Spanier in the locker room for his support — as well as the heated seats on the sideline.

“He hasn’t gotten the bill yet,” Paterno joked.

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