Sports

HART OF A SEASON

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – He has the neck of an Olympic weightlifter, the mouth of a drive-time radio talk-show host and the Hart of a Nittany Lion killer.

When Michigan’s season was on the brink two weeks ago, it was running back Mike Hart who guaranteed a victory over Notre Dame. The Wolverine who roared tore up the Irish for 187 yards rushing.

And when the Wolverine’s quest for a Big Ten title – the only championship Big Blue can win this season – began yesterday, Hart, from Syracuse, put another part of his body on the line. He stuck his 181/2-inch neck at the Nittany Lions a career-high 44 times, grinding out 153 yards, scoring the game-deciding touchdown in a 14-9 win, and leaving the Big House wanting more.

“I wanted eight more carries so I could break the record,” Hart said referring to Chris Perry’s Michigan record of 51 carries.

He’ll have to settle for breaking Penn State’s dream of a Big Ten title and Joe Paterno’s desire to snap an eight-game losing streak to Michigan. Paterno was as dejected as he has ever been after loss, with good reason.

Paterno made this his type of game. He knew the Wolverines, which were forced to start freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett because of a knee injury to Chad Henne, would use a massive Hart attack. Paterno also knew he had the nation’s No.1-ranked rush defense. He left that defense on the field too long.

“He’s a heckuva back,” said Paterno. “He gets tougher as the game goes on. We got a little tired.”

The 42 carries were a record against Penn State, and Hart was keenly aware of the effect he was having.

“There’s nothing like looking in your opponent’s eyes and seeing that they’re getting worn down,” said Hart, who carried nine times for 33 yards and a touchdown on Michigan’s fourth quarter scoring drive. “Obviously we wore them down.”

Michigan ran 86 plays. Penn State (3-1 overall, 0-1 in the Big Ten) ran 60. Nittany Lions quarterback Anthony Morelli (15-of-31 for 169 yards with no touchdowns) has not taken the next step.

Meanwhile, Hart, who struggled with strep throat-like symptoms during the week, stepped into the Michigan record book with his 23rd 100-yard game. The Wolverines are 19-4 in those games, which is why his teammates don’t blow a gasket when he cheats in card games.

“I want to be the best at everything,” Hart said. “You can’t settle for second. Whether it’s in school whether it’s playing video games, whether it’s playing cards, on the football field, that’s my attitude.”

The attitude in Ann Arbor was worse than a laid-off auto worker after the Wolverines opened the season with shocking home losses to Appalachian State and Oregon.

Hart guaranteed a win over Notre Dame, and yesterday he truly got the last laugh. On the same day he carried the Wolverines past Penn State, Syracuse, his hometown team, won its first Big East road game in three years, a shocking 38-35 upset at Louisville.

“They announced the score, and I said in the huddle, ‘You see that?’ ” said Hart. ” ‘Cuse is back.”

Michigan might be back, too. It’s hard to reconcile how bad this team looked on defense against Oregon with how good it looked against Penn State.

One thing is certain. Michigan has Hart.

lenn.robbins@nypost.com