Penn State routs Michigan in the Big House
Things started fast for both teams on offense right from the kickoff. Michigan opened the game with a touchdown drive. In doing so the Wolverines became the first team this season to score a first half touchdown on the Penn State defense. The eleven play drive saw Michigan utilize a no-huddle offense and a healthy dose of running back Brandon Minor, who capped the drive with a one yard rush into the end-zone.
Penn State wasted no time in taking advantage of the Michigan defense. The Nittany Lions took just four plays to go 63 yards, fueled by a season long 41-yard rush by Evan Royster, before Daryll Clark threw the first of four touchdown passes when he found Graham Zug to set up an extra point to tie the game. Clark threw to just five different receivers in the game, including running backs Royster and Joe Suhey with screen passes. Zug was the recipient of three touchdown passes.
Penn State took the lead six minutes later on a Collin Wagner field goal. Prior to the field goal Michigan was forced to call a timeout as they had the wrong personnel on the field. Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez was seen on TV shouting at his assistant coaches, seemingly upset about having to waste a timeout for that reason on a field goal attempt.
But the rest of the game belonged to Penn States defense, who coasted with the lead the rest of the way.
Linebacker Navorro Bowman was the catalyst for the defense. With Michigan driving down field Bowman was called for defensive holding. But it was Bowman who atoned for his mistake when he recovered a Michigan fumble a moment later. Penn State though was unable to take advantage of the possession and was forced to punt. The punt forced Michigan to start deep in their own territory and as the Wolverines were backed up to their own end-zone danger was looming.
Last season Michigan saw the momentum of their game at Penn state switch sidelines when a safety was called as Penn State backed the Wolverines up against their own end-zone.The same thing may have happened again on Saturday. With their backs against their own end-zone, freshman Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier was unprepared for an early snap and the football sailed past him and out of the end-zone, handing Penn State two points and the football.
With Penn State up 12-7, the Nittany Lions officially had enough points to come away with the road victory. Penn State wasted no time in jumping on the Wolverines as Clark threw the first ball over the down field, over the middle, to tight end Andrew Quarless who scampered all the way for a touchdown. The 60-yard pass almost seemed like the knockout punch for Michigan, and it was not even halftime yet.
Michigan had a chance to put some points on the scoreboard before the half but mistakes hurt Michigan inside the red-zone. A fumble was recovered by Michigan but with the clock running Forcier spiked the football on third down. Michigan was held to a field goal to send the game into halftime with Penn State leading 19-10.
In the second half Michigan would be held off the scoreboard, but Penn State still had some touchdowns in them. The Nittany Lions took the opening kickoff of the second half all the way to the Michigan 43-yard line, and four plays later Clark connected with Zug for the second time of the game. A failed two point conversion put Penn State up 25-10. Clark would find Zug in the end-zone one more time in the third quarter two plays after Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson fumbled the ball after being hit by Bani Gbadyu.
Penn State would add a field goal in the fourth quarter with the game already well in their hands.
This was Penn State’s first win in Michigan Stadium since 1996 and they are now 3-5 at Michigan all-time. The defense really stepped it up in this game, limiting Michigan’s passing game to just 140 yards, with a healthy chunk of those yards coming in the fourth quarter. After Michigan picked up 36 yards on the ground on the game’s opening drive, Penn State limited the Wolverines to just 64 rushing yards for the rest of the game. Penn State also forced four turnovers while committing none.
Penn State linebacker Sean Lee saw more plays on the field than he did last week against Minnesota, but the coaching staff seemed to be using him cautiously.
Time will tell how the voters feel about Penn State and their road victory, but they had the look of a legitimate BCS team on Saturday in soggy Ann Arbor.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Penn State Daryll Clark takes the player of the game honors this week. Clark threw for 230 yards and four touchdowns and chipped in with 13 rushing yards. Clark avoided costly turnovers in the game despite being under pressure a few times behind an offensive line that showed some weakness in a couple spurts. Clark demonstrated good leadership though throughout the game and never seemed to be rattled. He also showed a great sense for changing the momentum of the game when needed.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
With the victory the Nittany Lions remain in contention for a Big Ten title. The only team in front of Penn State is Iowa, who will play tonight against Michigan State. Penn State moves to 7-1 overall and if they can win the remainder of their games to go 11-1 a BCS berth in some capacity could be rewarded.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Penn State is on the road again next week to take on Northwestern. A victory should not be taken for granted as this game has the potential to be a trap game with Ohio State looming the following week.
Michigan is also on the road next week to take on Illinois.
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