Game recap: Harbaugh-less Michigan grabs statement win at Penn State

The Michigan Wolverines were the subjects of national drama all week and were without head coach Jim Harbaugh on Saturday afternoon, but they persevered in a 24-15 win over Penn State.

The 10-0 Wolverines were coached by offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Sherrone Moore, who moved to 2-0 on the season while serving as head coach.

It was a vintage performance from senior running back Blake Corum, who had 26 carries for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns on the afternoon. Michigan ran the ball for 227 yards and 3 scores as a unit.

Here’s the full recap of the game.

First quarter

Penn State won the opening coin toss and deferred its choice to the second half, giving Michigan the ball on offense to start the game. The Wolverines did not get much going on their first drive, gaining 9 yards on five plays before punting the ball back to the Nittany Lions down to the 26-yard line with a little over 11 minutes left in the quarter. The defense stood tall on the next series, forcing a PSU three-and-out and a punt back to the Wolverines down to the 30-yard line with 10:23 remaining. Unfortunately for Michigan, it went three-and-out on its next drive as the defensive struggle persisted for both teams.

Penn State took over at its 31-yard line with 8:41 to go in the quarter and finally mounted its first push of the game, going 13 plays for 66 yards, but settling for a field goal after being the first Michigan opponent to get inside the 10-yard line this season. The 20-yard field goal was good, giving PSU an early 3-0 lead with 2:17 to go in the quarter.

Penn State 3, Michigan 0

Second quarter

Michigan’s response was the one fans were waiting for after weathering the first-quarter storm. The Wolverines went 75 yards in nine plays on a drive that was capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run from Blake Corum, his 17th score of the season. After the extra point, Michigan would lead 7-3. The defense forced a three-and-out on the next possession, giving the Wolverines the ball back at their own 22-yard line with 9:44 remaining in the quarter.

Michigan put up another statement drive, closing out a 78-yard, six-play march with a Donovan Edwards touchdown from 22 yards out. The Wolverines jumped ahead 14-3 after the extra point with 6:07 to go in the half. Penn State mounted a big response, going 75 yards in 5:38 and picking up a conversion on fourth down to get on the board with its first touchdown of the game, an 11-yard run from QB Drew Allar. Penn State went for two and failed, bringing the score to 14-9 with 29 seconds left in the half. It would end with Michigan up 14-9 at the half.

Michigan 14, Penn State 9

Third quarter

On PSU’s first drive of the half, Rayshaun Benny forced a fumble that was recovered by safety Makari Paige at midfield, giving the U-M offense the ball early on in the quarter. Michigan took advantage of the turnover to add to its lead, driving 45 yards in 13 plays and getting a field goal from James Turner from 22 yards out to extend the lead to 17-9 in favor of the Wolverines. Penn State’s response to the drive, which took more than eight minutes off the clock, was a 21-yard, six-play drive that ended in another punt.

There were only three total possessions combined between the two teams in the third quarter. When the clocks hit zero on the quarter, Michigan held its 17-9 lead.

Michigan 17, Penn State 9

Fourth quarter

Six straight punts between the squads defined the early part of the fourth quarter, with Penn State subsequently taking over at its own 26-yard line with 4:53 to play. The Nittany Lions were off the field quickly after four plays for 4 yards, giving Michigan the ball back on the PSU 30 with little more than four minutes to go. That’s when Corum called game, rushing for his 18th touchdown on the year on a 30-yard dash to put U-M up 24-9 with 4:15 to go. PSU climbed a little closer late with a 75-yard, eight-play drive that ended in a touchdown from Drew Allar to tight end Theo Johnson. They went for two again and failed, narrowing the deficit to 24-15 with 1:59 to go.

From there, Michigan ran out the clock and secured the win.

Michigan 24, Penn State 15

Michigan vs. Penn State: Final box score, stats