What started as a great day for Penn State, ended in frustration and defeat.
Review
Saquon Barkley broke a big 56 yard run to start the game, but the drive would stall and the Lions would have to settle for a field goal. It didn’t take long for Michigan to answer as Ruddock hit Chesson for 39 yards and on the following play connected with Butt for a 26 yard touchdown. It was a defensive game from this point up until Christian Hackenberg and Saeed Blacknall connected for a 25 yard touchdown. With two minutes left, Michigan marched down the field to answer with a score of their own, 14-10 Michigan at the half. Both teams punted to start the second half, then Penn State was about to get the ball back when Deandre Thompkins muffed the punt on the six yard line. Seemingly killing the game. Michigan would score a touchdown to take a 21-10 lead. Later in the quarter, Brandon Bell sacked Ruddock who fumbled and Bell recovered. The drive went no where, but on fourth down the Lions went for it and Hackenberg found Godwin in the middle of the field for 38 yards. The ball was on the Michigan three yard line and failed to score and settle for a field goal, 21-13. In the fourth, Penn State drove to the Michigan six yard line but stalled at the two. Another field goal to make it 21-16. Michigan followed with a great kick return and moved the ball to the one yard line and punched it in and that was that. Michigan wins 28-16.
Last Thoughts
The day started off great, 2017 4 star LB Dylan Rivers committed and we honored a great group of seniors including Zettel, Lucas, and Nassib. The day went bad when Nassib did not play at all for unknown reasons. This killed Penn State’s pass rush and greatly hurt the team. Thompkins dropping the punt hurt even more as Penn State was about to get the ball but instead Michigan gets 7 more points which was huge. The Lions were 0-3 in the red zone and cost them 12 points. Which was the difference in this one. Saquon Barkley was nonexistent outside of his big run early in the game. Christian Hackenberg was hit time after time and wasn’t very accurate today. The bottom line is that special teams and goal line offense killed this one.
One more regular season game left next week at Michigan State.
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