By Garin Turner
Michigan never punted and scored on 8/10 drives yet still had to use the second half to pull away eventually winning 41-17 in another Top 25 matchup against Penn State. Michigan struggled in the first quarter in the red zone settling for two field goals for a 6-0 lead they took into the second quarter.
The Wolverines (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) would finally find the endzone on a Blake Corum one-yard score for a 12-0. Penn State (5-1, 2-1 Big 10) would answer back when QB Sean Clifford kept the ball on a read option play and ran for 66 yards. They would score on 4th and goal on a Kaytron Allen one-yard score.
Michigan JJ McCarthy threw a pick-six after a pass was battled and bounced off of several players, landing in the hands of Curtis Jacobs who returned it for 47 yards. Michigan would take the lead back right before the half on Jake Moody’s third field goal of the day for a 16-14 lead.
Penn State would score on its opening drive on a Jake Pinegar27-yard field goal. Michigan wouldn’t let Penn State score again. Penn State entered the game with the fifth-best run defense in the country. Donovan Edwards gave the Wolverines the lead for good on a 67-yard run. Corum would score for a second time with a 61-yard run.
After a fourth Moody field goal in the fourth, Edwards would score again on a three-yard run. Edwards finished with 16 carries and 173 yards with the two scores. Corum carried 28 times for 166 yards and two scores. McCarthy added 57 yards on the ground. Michigan rushed for 418 yards in the game. McCarthy threw for just 145 yards.
UP NEXT
Michigan: Bye week before hosting in-state rival Michigan State.
Penn State: Hosts Minnesota next Saturday.
