Observations on the loss to Penn State, 17-46!

Player Participation

Michigan Rewind: Penn State

Depth Chart for Penn State

Press Conference for Penn State

1-Penn State adjusts at halftime, and outplays us as a result of the coaching adjustments. They outscore us 32-0 in the second half, and cover the spread.

2-Penn State gets 4 second half red zones, and converts all four. For the game, Penn State created 5 red zones for 23 points compared to our 3 red zones created in the first quarter for 17 points. Penn State gets one Michigan turnover for 7 points while we get one for 3.

3-Our offense has 5 three and outs for the game, a safety, and a turnover after scoring 17 early points on 3 red zones. Their defense adjusted, and our offensive coaches couldn't. The offense nets 291 yards with 81 in the second half, 15 first downs including 5 in the second half, and converts 5 of 16 3rd and 4th down conversions with one of seven in the second half. Our quarterbacks end up 12 or 22 for 89 yards, 3 sacks and zero TDs.

4-Brandon Minor carried 23 times for 117 yards and 2 TDs, but gains only 23 in the second half. Odoms and Koger grabbed three each for 60 yards which was half the total for our receivers: 12 receptions for 89 yards .

5-This Michigan defense has already proven it can't hold a lead created by our offense. The two score lead evaporated a la Illinois. As our Ohio State friend and commentator, Chris Spielman, stated, our defenders take poor angles, and obviously don't tackle very well. Darryl Clark ends up 18 of 31 for 171 yards and a TD, Royster gets 174 yards on 17 carries including a 44 yard TD, Butler grabs 8 for 105 yards against All-Pro Donovan Warren, and the Nitts come up with 482 yards in total offense and 22 first downs. The Nitts were 7 of 14 on 3rd down conversions, and we could not sack Clark or force a turnover on him. Poor safety play is evident on tackling, pass coverage and the absence of plays. Michael Williams was burned for the late first half TD as he missed his assignment. Trent couldn't stop the 80 yard final TD. I think we had more missed tackles than tackles. Mouton ends up with 10 tackles, Ezeh had 9 and Thompson had 8 including a forced fumble. Our defense line was outplayed, outconditioned and outhustled by a more athletic, superior Penn State offensive line.

6-Special teams are about as bad as I've ever seen at Michigan. We get a punt blocked, and shank a kickoff punt after the safety. Our kickoff returns and kickoff coverage was embarrassing. Horn was benched after he should have taken a touchback, and chose to run a kick out of the end zone after he fumbled it. Mathews was rightfully called "lazy" by Spielman on the first punt return of the game. McGuffie fumbles another kickoff. Criswell takes a completely stupid personal foul call changing game momentum just before the half. Special teams play is about hustle, preparation and coaching along with speed. We fail on all counts.

7-This Michigan team and its coaching staff are an embarrassment to the Michigan football program and its history. We are on our way to a 2-10 record with losses to all our rivals and a MAC team. The comment about 7 points in the 3rd quarter all season long speaks to our coaching adjustments at halftime versus our opponent's coaching adjustments.
Observations on the first half with Penn State, 17-14!

1-We convert 3 red zones for 17 points, and Penn State comes up with a red zone just before the end of the half thanks to a stupid personal foul call on Criswell for 7 points. We get 3 points off one Penn State turnover, and luckily recovered McGuffie's fumble.

2-Steven Threet was 7 of 11 for 73 yards, and runs 10 times for 47 yards. Offense comes up wity 210 net yards, 10 first downs and was 4 of 9 in 3rd and 4th down conversions for a 5 minute time of possession advantage. Unfortunately, the last three drives were three and outs.

3-Sam McGuffie is replaced by Brandon Minor, and Minor rambles for 94 yards on 16 carries and 2 TDs. Odoms has 2 catches for 29 yards, Rogers got a 21 yarder, and Koger grabbed one for 16 yards.

4-This Michigan defense has already proven it can't hold a lead created by our offense. The two score lead has evaporated a la Illinois. As our Ohio State friend and commentator stated, our defenders take poor angles, and obviously can't tackle very well. Darryl Clark ends up 11 of 17 for 81 yards and a TD, 188 net yards of total offense thanks to Royster's 112 yards on 10 carries including a 44 yard TD, and 9 first downs. The Nitts were 2 of 6 on 3rd down conversions. No sacks on Clark, but a great hit by Thompson who also forced a fumble. Mouton leads the defense with 6 tackles. Poor safety play is evident on tackling, pass coverage and the absence of plays. Michael Williams was burned for the late TD as he missed his assignment.

5-Special teams come up with 3 nice punts by Mesko, a field goal and two extra points by Lopata, and "lazy" play on returns by Mathews. McGuffie almost fumbled our lead away. Avery Horn gets a 40 yarder. Kickoff team looks bad with 4 kickoffs averaging 61 yards by Gingell, and one out of bound with 95 yards on the other 3 returns. Navarro Bowman has 8 tackles for the Nitt's including 2 for loss.

6-This game will turn on halftime adjustments by coaches, and who plays the best in the second half including who wins the turnover battle. I don't trust our defense or our offense, and certainly don't trust our coaches.