Observations on the win over Penn State, 42-7
Michigan converted 4 red zones into 28 points, and scored 21 points off 3 Penn State turnovers; the Nittany Lions gained one red zone with less than 3 minutes to go in the game, and converted it for 7 points.
Offense gained 20 first downs, 403 net yards on 69 plays including 259 yards rushing, and converted 9 of 18 3rd and 4th down conversions. Shea Patterson was 11 of 17 for 144 yards and 2 TDs, and gained 42 yards on 11 carries for another TD. Karan Higdon gained 132 yards on 20 carries for a TD. Chris Evans gained 57 yards on 12 carries for a TD. Nico Collins caught 2 passes for 53 yards including a 47 yarder. Donovan Peoples-Jones also caught 3 passes for 38 yards including a 23 yard TD. Zach Gentry caught 2 passes for 18 yards and a TD. Tarik Black caught a touchdown pass, but the play was negated by a holding call on Zach Gentry. The 16 minute time of possession advantage resulted in 22 more offensive plays for the Wolverines. Michigan scored on its opening drive, and added a second score after recovering a Penn State fumble to build a 14-0 advantage by half in a defensive struggle until the second half when they drove 90 yards in 13 plays ending the 7:05 drive with a 7 yard TD pass to Zach Gentry. The game became a blowout in the next series when Brandon Watson returned a Tommy Stevens pass 62 yards to make the game, 28-0, by the end of the 3rd quarter. The bad news offensively came with less than a minute to go in the game when backup quarterback, Dylan McCaffrey, broke his collarbone on a running play.
Defense held Penn State to 11 first downs, 186 net yards, 68 on the ground, and 3 of 11 in 3rd and 4th down conversions; they were forced into 8 punts and 3 turnovers. Trace McSorley and Tommy Stevens combined for 8 of 17 for 118 yards, but were sacked 5 times; they ran 22 times and gained 46 yards and a TD. Defense was led by Devin Bush with 7 tackles, and Tyree Kinnel had 5 stops. Josh Uche had 2 sacks; Chase Winovich, Khaleke Hudson, and Jordan Glasgow got the other sacks. Interceptions by Brandon Watson and David Long led to two touchdowns. Rashan Gary started the game at Defensive End; he contributed two tackles and a quarterback hit.
Special Teams had a field goal by Quinn Nordin blocked. Donovan Peoples-Jones had two great punt returns for 54 yards. Ambry Thomas had a nice kickoff return to start the second half negated with a holding call by Josh Ross. Ben Mason had two tackles on the kickoff team, and Justin Moody had 4 touchbacks in 7 attempts.
Bring on Rutgers! Go Blue!