Michigan beats Penn State in Top 10 Matchup

The Wolverines improve to 7–0 on the season

One of the biggest college football games in today’s lineup was a matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions. Both teams entered the game undefeated and in the AP Top 10. It was the first matchup that both teams were ranked in the top ten since 1997 when Michigan defeated Penn State 34–8 on their way to winning a share of the National Championship.

Michigan received the football to start the game and marched it down the field to the Penn State 11-yard line, where a Jake Moody field goal would give the Wolverines an early 3–0 lead.

Penn State went three and out on their first possession, unable to pick up a yard on the ground on third and one they were forced to punt back to Michigan.

The Wolverines and Nittany Lions would trade the same results in their next possession each. Michigan settled for a field goal after going 77 yards on 13 plays. Penn State had another three and out after failing to pick up another third down and short.

After Michigan received the ball following Penn State’s second three and out they would finally get the ball in the end zone. The Wolverines capped off a 13-play, 70-yard drive with a Blake Corum one-yard run.

With a 13–0 lead and not yet surrendering a first down, it was starting to look like the Wolverines would run away with this one. While more points on a couple of red zone trips would have been nice, holding a 13–0 lead when your opponent hasn’t yet gotten a first down generally points to a blowout.

However, the Wolverines' inefficiencies in the red zone would end up costing them late in the first half. On Penn State’s ensuing drive they would march 75 yards down the field, the bulk of the yardage picked up on a 62-yard run by Penn State QB Sean Clifford.

Following that drive, Michigan QB JJ McCarthy threw a pick-six on a third and two roll-out pass. The ball hit off an opposing player and fell right into the arms of Penn State defender Curtis Jacobs.

Seemingly out of nowhere Penn State turned the game around and led 14–13. For Michigan, frustration mounted with the missed opportunities to convert red zone trips into touchdowns. It had felt like a dominant half of football for the Wolverines was wasted.

Michigan got yet another field goal at the end of the half to take a 16–14 lead into halftime but a couple of big plays for Penn State had this game a lot closer than it should have been.

To start the second half Penn State drove 70 yards on nine plays to kick a field goal and reclaim the lead, 17–16. It felt like we could be in for a much closer second half than the first-half stats would have indicated.

The Wolverines would answer on their next drive. Running back Donovan Edwards took the ball 67 yards for a touchdown and after converting on the two-point attempt, Michigan reclaimed a 24–17 lead.

From there Michigan wouldn’t look back, adding a couple more touchdowns and a field goal on their way to a convincing 41–17 win.

Leading up to the game many cited this as the first true test for the Wolverines. If so, they passed with flying colors. Outside of some missed opportunities in the red zone, any real negative takeaways would be nitpicking this game.

Sure they had a few more penalties, especially presnap, than you would like to see. It still remains to be seen if JJ McCarthy can effectively throw the ball down the field. Overall though, there are a lot of positives to glean from this game.

With the win, Michigan improves to 7–0 on the season and 4–0 in conference play. Next weekend they have a bye week, followed by a visit from Michigan State to Ann Arbor in a rivalry game that’s become a must-win for the program.

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