Observations on the loss Penn State, 21-28
Michigan gained 4 red zones for 21 points; Penn State gained 2 red zones for 14 points, and the Nittany Lions scored 7 points off one Wolverine turnover. Penn State raced to a 21-0 advantage, and then had to hold off Michigan's furious comeback.
Offense played well in the second half! Michigan gained 26 first downs, 417 net yards in 82 plays with 141 on the ground; they were 9 of 21 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Shea Patterson was 24 of 41 for 276 yards with an interception and one sack; he gained 34 net yards in 12 carries for a TD. Nico Collins caught 6 passes for 89 yards. Ronnie Bell had 5 catches for 82 yards; unfortunately a big drop in the end zone with a little over 2 minutes to play ended the Wolverine comeback with what would have been the tying score to send this game into overtime. Donovan Peoples-Jones caught 5 passes for 46 yards. Nick Eubanks had 3 catches for 36 yards, and Tarik Black had 3 catches for 9 yards. Zach Charbonnet ran 15 times for 81 yards and 2 TDs plus caught a 4 yard pass. We held an 15 minute time of possession advantage which gave us 28 more offensive plays. Offensive line played its best game, and protected Patterson most of the evening allowing only one sack, but did give up 6 quarterback hits. Micah Parsons is all over the place with 14 tackles for Penn State. Cam Brown had 10 tackles including 2 quarterback hits. Garrett Taylor had 8 tackles with a sack, and Tariq Castro-Fields also had 8 tackles with an interception plus a pass break up.
Defense held Penn State to only 14 first downs with 283 net yards in 54 plays, but gave up too many big plays; the Nitts were 4 of 13 in 3rd down conversions. The Wolverines forced 8 Nittany Lion punts including 5 "3 and outs," but were unable to force any turnovers although they gained 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hits. Sean Clifford was 14 of 25 for 182 yards and 3 TDs; he also ran 11 times for 17 yards after 2 sacks with another TD. K.J. Hamler caught 6 passes for 108 yards and 2 TDs; he ended the game with 186 all-purpose yards, and carried the ball on the final play gaining an important first down so Penn State didn't have to turn the ball back to Michigan in the final minute. Hamler was a Michigan recruit who attended Orchard Lake St. Mary that Harbaugh & Staff let get out of the state; Penn State would not have beat us tonight without Hamler. Tight End Pat Friermuth caught 3 passes for 28 yards and a TD. Jahan Dotson caught a 37 yarder. Ricky Slade had two carries for 46 yards including a 44 yarder. Kwity Paye led the defense with 10 tackles. Khaleke Hudson and Cam McGrone had 6 tackles each; McGrone had 2.5 tackles for loss with a sack plus a quarterback hit. Our weak cornerback play and overall pass coverage by our safeties was exploited early in the game; Penn State's Franklin had an excellent game plan, and the Nitts kept their composure with no turnovers or mistakes that could have cost them the game.
Special Teams was a non-factor as Will Hart punted 5 times with one inside the 20, and Blake Gillikin punted 8 times with 4 punts inside the 20. Jake Moody missed a 58 yard field goal, but it wasn't expected that he would make it.
We outplayed Penn State, but just gave up too many big plays; we also couldn't force the Nitts into any turnovers. Outplaying an opponent doesn't matter when the final score is in their favor. It was nice to see this team look like the Michigan of old! This team showed grit and toughness that the Michigan Wolverine Football Program is all about! This team fought hard after getting down early, and never gave up! I'm very happy that Harbaugh showed guts in going for so many 4th down plays! I have faith in this team again! I am more optimistic going into next week's game with Notre Dame! Championship teams don't have dropped passes and other mistakes including turnovers haunting them. If we can continue to improve offensively, we can give Ohio State a lot of problems in November. Go Blue!