Observations on the first half with Penn State, 7-6

Michigan converted one red zone for 7 points; Penn State was held to 3 points in two red zone trips. No turnovers for either team, but Penn State put the ball on the ground three times with two recoveries.

Offense got a slow start with two "3 and outs." Cade McNamara completed 9 of 14 for 105 yards and a TD, but was sacked once as Left Tackle Ryan Hayes lost his block. Hassan Haskins ran 13 times for 54 yards, and caught 4 passes for 42 yards. Blake Corum did not make the trip. Cornelius Johnson, Andrel Anthony, Erick All and Luke Schoolmaker all caught one pass each; however, Roman Wilson's catch was a 21 yard TD. Michigan netted 10 first downs, 151 yards in 31 plays, and was 4 of 9 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Penn State had a one minute time of possession advantage resulting in 13 more offensive plays. Ellis Brooks led Penn State with 5 tackles.

Defense held Penn State to 11 first downs, 171 yards in 44 plays; the Nittany Lions were 5 of 12 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Sean Clifford was 12 of 21 for 123 yards, but was sacked 5 times; he ran 11 time for 54 yards, but with sack yardage deducted left him with 17 yards for the half. John Lovett ran 4 times for 17 yards plus a 4 yard reception. Jahan Dotson had 4 catches for 22 yards. Theo Johnson and Parker Washington had 3 receptions each including a 44 yarder that set up the field goal. Junior Colson led the defense with 6 tackles including 0.5 sack; Aiden Hutchinson had 2.5 sacks, and David Ojabo had two sacks plus a forced fumble. Vincent Gray forced the fumble on the fake field goal, and Daxton Hill returned it 9 yards.

Special Teams were advantage Penn State. The Nittany Lions hit a late field goal with two total by Jordan Stout, and executed a fake punt, but the Wolverines blew up a fake field goal attempt in the red zone. Jake Moody had two touchbacks on kickoffs as did Stout. Brad Robbins punted twice with as whopping 62.5 yard average with one downed inside the 20; Stout punted twice with a 56.5 yard average. A.J. Henning was -3 on his only punt return; Jahan Dotson had a 9 yard return on his only return.

2nd Half will be tight with our first possession critical in setting the tone offensively for our efforts. Go Blue!