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Michigan football 21, Penn State 17: Full recap and box score

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•11/13/21•

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Michigan football Wide Receiver Roman Wilson (14) catches a pass for a touchdown with Penn State Nittany Lions Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) defending during the first half of the College Football game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 13, 2021, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Michigan football moved to 9-1 on the season with a 21-17 win over Penn State on the road.

Here’s a recap and box score from everything that happened on Saturday.

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First quarter

The start of Saturday’s game was far from sterling for either side. The Nittany Lions put together a 14-play drive that included a fake punt, but would still settle for a 42-yard field goal from Jordan Stout with 9:56 to play in the quarter. Those would be the only points scored by either team in the opening frame.

Penn State ran 33 plays in the first quarter. Michigan ran six. Despite that, the Nittany Lions would only lead 3-0 after one chapter of play in Happy Valley.

Second quarter

Michigan was able to put a bad first quarter past them and put itself on the board. The Wolverines put together a 15-play, 90-yard drive (7:30 off the clock) that ended in a 21-yard touchdown pass from third-year freshman Cade McNamara to second-year wideout Roman Wilson. Michigan led 7-3 with 5:43 to go in the first half.

Following a turnover by downs from Michigan, Penn State added another field goal from Stout – this time from 52-yards out – to trim the deficit to 7-6 at halftime.

Third quarter

The Wolverines put together a touchdown drive right out of the locker room to start the second half. McNamara led Michigan down the field 75 yards in nine plays with his second touchdown pass of the day to Wilson, this time from one yard out. That put the score at 14-6 with 11:50 to play in the third quarter.

Penn State had problems putting anything together during the third quarter. A punt and a missed field goal on its first two possessions left the door open for Michigan to do more to no avail. The Wolverines held on to its 14-6 lead as the third quarter came to an end.

Fourth quarter

Michigan went into the fourth quarter with a chance to put away Penn State with a score somewhere. Instead, the Nittany Lions tied the game with 7:35 to go on a touchdown pass from quarterback Sean Clifford to Tyler Warren. The two-point conversion to star wide receiver Jahan Dotson was good, tying things at 14-14.

Disaster struck for Michigan on the next drive as McNamara was sacked and fumbled back to Penn State on the 16-yard line. The Nittany Lions tacked on a field goal to retake the lead at 17-14 with 5:55 to play.

Michigan has struggled in these moments finding someone to deliver on offense. Sophomore tight end Erick All obliged and took a 47-yard catch into the endzone to give his team the lead back at 21-17 with 3:29 left in the game.

It turned out that was all that Michigan needed. The defense was able to ice the game away and help the Wolverines move to 9-1.

FINAL: Michigan 21, Penn State 17

Michigan football at Penn State box score

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