Penn State falls to Michigan following lackluster performance on offense: Recap

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State lost to Michigan 24-15 on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. See how it happened below.

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Fourth quarter updates

3:15 — Michjigan beats Penn State 24-15.

3:08 — Penn State runs a trick formation two-point play that fails. The Lions could have kicked an extra point to make it and eight-point game. Instead, by missing that try, they are down nine, 24-15, with 1:59 to play.

3:07 — Touchdown, Penn State: Drew Allar hits Theo Johnson for six with 1:59 to play.

2:56 — Touchdown, Michigan: Blake Corum goes 30 yards untouched to pay dirt, and this ball game is ova. There’s 4:15 to play, Penn State trails 24-9, and the Lions have just 42 second half yards.

2:52 — On 3rd and 2 at the Michigan 39, Penn State stuffs Corum at the line of scrimmage. Abdul Carter was in on the tackle. The Lions will get it back, down eight, with around five minutes to play.

2:45 — Anytime you can call a play that has an option to throw it a yard on 3rd and 9, you definitely have to, if you’re Mike Yurcich. Penn State had an illegal formation anyway and goes three and out. Michigan will get the ball back.

2:40 — On 3rd and 10 at the Penn State 43, Michigan runs, and Edwards is stopped by Isaac, who has had a tremendous series. The Nittany Lions will get the ball back with about eight minutes to play.

2:31 — Penn State is forced to punt after an ugly offensive drive. Fans want a block in the back and should have gotten one on the return but no flag flew. Michigan takes over at its own 31 with 12:11 to play.

2:25 — On 3rd and 6, Edwards gets five. Michigan will punt from its own 12 with 13 minutes to play.

Penn State-Michigan third quarter updates

2:17 — After three, it’s Michigan 17, Penn State 9. The Wolverines have 2nd and 8 at its own five yard line to start the fourth quarter.

2:15 — Penn State will punt out of the TV timeout. The Lions had lined up to go for it on 4th and 2 but had to burn at timeout due to receivers being confused.

2:01 — Michigan’s 22-yard field goal is good. The Wolverines now lead Penn State 17-9 with 3:40 left in the third quarter.

1:50 — On 3rd and 2 at the Michigan 46, Drew Allar had enough yards for a first down but fumbled at the end of the play. Michigan will take over at the Penn State 49.

1:45 — Second half is about to get underway here at Beaver Stadium. Penn State will get the ball first.

Second quarter updates

1:25 — Halftime: Michigan 14, Penn State 9. The Lions get the ball to start the second half. The Wolverines outgained PSU 170-142. The penalty battle is nearly even and the turnover battle is even.

1:22 — Touchdown, Penn State: Drew Allar takes it himself 11 yards up the middle for a score. The Lions will lineup to go for two, trailing 14-9 with :29 left in the first half. The Penn State two-point conversion attempt fails. The Lions trail Michiganm 14-9 with 29 seconds left in the first half.

1:19 — Penn State picked up the aforementioned fourth down and now has 4th and 1 at the Michigan 15 with 1:07 left in the first half.

1:16 — Boo birds are out at Beaver Stadium after Penn State tries to draw Michigan offsides on 4th and 6, fails to, and then calls a timeout to presumably punt with 3:22 left in the first half.

1:11 — On 3rd and 11 from the Penn State 22, the Lions give up a 22-yard touchdown to Donovan Edwards. Penn State seemed to have a bit of a communication problem that led to a gaping hole for the Wolverine to blow through. Lions have now given up three third and longs and trail 14-3.

12:56 — Penn State got eight yards on first down. It responds with a quick incomplete pass and a QB draw that combined only gain a yard. And, now, the Lions will punt it back to Michigan. Brutally short series there.

12:50 — Touchdown, Michigan: Blake Corum hammers into the end zone from three yards out to give the Wolverines the lead. Penn State had two third and long chances to get off the field and could not. It results in a 7-3 deficit with 11:56 left in the first half.

12:49 — On 3rd and 8 at the Penn State 25, Michigan gets a big gain on a quick pass to Morgan. The Lions are lucky he didn’t score. PSU has given up two third and longs on this drive. Its first and goal for Michigan at the Penn State 6.

First quarter updates

12:42 — On third and 10, Penn State gives up 13 on a JJ McCarthy keeper. Brutal way to end the first quarter. Penn State leads it, 3-0, after 15 minutes of play.

12:36 — Alex Felkins’ 21-yard field goal is good. Penn State reaches the red zone and goal-to-go territory but comes away with just three. The Lions lead, 3-0, with 2:17 left in the first quarter.

12:35 — On 3rd and 3 from the Michigan 3, Drew Allar threw to Dante Cephas, but the two couldn’t connect. Penn State will try a field goal.

12:21 — Chop Robinson gets plenty of pressure on third and it forces an incompletion after an Abdul Carter pass breakup. Michigan will punt it back to Penn State.

12:15 — The Lions’ first drive is short. It featured a gain of one on a first down run and two incompletions. Now. it’s time to punt.

12:11 p.m. — On third and long, Dani Dennis-Sutton busts into the Michigan backfield and sacks JJ McCarthy. The Wolverines will punt for the first time today. Penn State takes over at its own 26 with 11:10 left in the first quarter.

Pregame notes

12:04 — Penn State wins the toss and defers. Michigan will get the ball first at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is coming up on FOX.

11:35 a.m. — Kickoff set for 12:05 p.m.

11:27 a.m. — Both teams are out on the field warming up. Weather is sunny and pleasant. Slight breeze.

11:03 a.m. — Chop Robinson, after missing the past two games, was back on the field participating in warm-ups.

10:53 a.m. — Jim Harbaugh will not coach today for Michigan, per multiple reports. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore will be the interim head coach.

10 a.m. — Both teams have arrived at Beaver Stadium. And each as released their participation report. For the Lions, receiver Harrison Wallace III and defensive end Jameial Lyons are out. Defensive ends Chop Robinson and Amin Vanover are not listed. So, both are active and will play.

Game time, how to watch: Penn State football vs. Michigan

Venue: Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa.

Kick time: Noon ET

TV: FOX

Stream: Fox Sports LIVE

On the call: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (color commentator), and Jenny Taft (sideline reporter).

Penn State radio: Steve Jones, Jack Ham, and Brian Tripp will call the Penn State Sports Network radio broadcast on Saturday. It airs on 99.5 & 103.7 FM/1450 AM locally and at GoPSUSports.com online.

Series facts: Penn State has lost its last two meetings with Michigan. All-time, the Wolverines hold a 16-10 advantage. James Franklin is 3-6 against the maize and blue.

Penn State-Michigan betting line

The initial point spread made Penn State a 7-point favorite. However, the number is now down to 4.5 points at most betting operations. The total is holding firm at 45.5 points.

How the Blue-White Illustrated staff is picking the game

Nate Bauer: Michigan 24, Penn State 20
Sean Fitz: Michigan 28, PSU 17
Thomas Frank Carr: Michigan 27, PSU 23
Matt Herb: Michigan 27, Penn State 16
Greg Pickel: Penn State 21, Michigan 17
Ryan Snyder: PSU 23, Michigan 21

Weather report

Another very nice day appears to be on tap for a Penn State football game this fall. Rain is not in the forecast. Weather.com is calling for a 50-degree day. Winds will be light and variable. And, no gusts are expected.

Pregame reading

Sign stealing, Drew Allar, and PSU football’s daunting challenge: James Franklin radio recap

Five keys for the PSU defense against Michigan

Ask Around: Biggest storyline for PSU recruiting weekend?

Column: PSU headspace critical for coaches, players, and fans as Michigan showdown looms

Projecting Penn State Football’s Depth Chart vs. Michigan