Observations on the win over Penn State, 21-18
Penn State gained two red zone for 11 points; Michigan also had two red zones for 14 points. The Wolverines capitalized on 3 second half turnovers by the Nittany Lions, and scored 21 points; Penn State could not score off two first half turnovers by Michigan.
Offense gained 301 net yards with 211 on the ground; team had 15 first downs, and were 6 of 13 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Bryce Underwood hit 5 of 11 passes for 43 yards, and two were picked off; he was sacked twice, and had 3 carries for 11 yards. Tommy Carr started the second half, and was 5 of 7 for 47 yards, and ran 4 times for 36 yards and a TD. Savion Hiter ran 11 times for 78 yards. Jordan Marshall ran 14 times for 49 yards and a TD. Bryson Kuzdzal had a 43 yard TD run. Andrew Marsh had 3 receptions for 21 yards. J.J. Buchanan had 3 catches for 36 yards. Hogan Hansen had two catches for 31 yards. Penn State dominated time of possession by 4 minutes, and it resulted in 19 more offensive plays. Tony Rojas led the Nittany Lion defense with 12 tackles including two for loss with a sack. Josiah Zayas and Zion Tracy snagged Nittany Lion interceptions.
Defense held Penn State to 332 net yards with 65 on the ground; they had 22 first downs, and were 5 of 13 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Rocco Becht hit 28 of 44 for 267 yards for a TD, but also had two interceptions and a fumble turnover in his 7 carries including 3 sacks. Carson Hansen ran 15 times for 51 yards and a TD. Chase Sowell grabbed 11 passes for 151 yards and a TD by a bewildered Mason Curtis; neither Jyaire Hill nor Smith Snowden could cover him, and he was targeted 15 times. Andrew Rappleyea had 7 receptions for 34 yards. Benjamin Brahmer caught 4 passes for 24 yards. Brett Eskildsen caught 3 passes for 29 yards. Michigan took 8 penalties for 63 yards including several defensive backfield pass interference/holding calls. Troy Bowles led the defense with 10 tackles. Nate Staehling contributed 9 tackles. Chris Bracy had 8 tackles, a forced fumble late in the 4th quarter that led to the final touchdown that iced the game; he also had an interception. Enow Etta recovered the fumble in the red zone and ran it to the 13 yard line with 5:02 to go, and Carr ran in the touchdown at the 3:02 mark to ice the win. Rod Moore snagged the other interception, but had to leave the game with an injury; hopefully, he didn't aggrevate the previous injury that kept him out of the line-up for the past year and a half.
Special Teams had 6 punts by Cam Brown with two downed inside the 20. Salesi Moa ran a 9 yard punt return. Bryson Kuzdzal ran a 16 yard kickoff return. We forced Penn State into 5 punts by Nathan with two downed inside the 20. Zay Robinson had two punt returns for 16 yards, and a kickoff return for 17 yards. Penn State got an early field goal by Ryan Barker on the first drive of the game.
Indiana will be a real challenge for our defense. Go Blue!
