Offense comes up small again: Penn State vs. Michigan Postgame Show
The Penn State Nittany Lions lost a low-scoring game to the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. The offense struggled to produce points or yards once again, mounting only two scoring drives in the first half. The defense again held the line and kept Penn State in the game well into the fourth quarter until a 30-yard touchdown with just over four minutes left in the game sealed the deal.
Recap the game on the BWI Live show, which airs moments after the game’s conclusion.
Things went well early for Penn State
Penn State battled with Michigan through the first half, holding Michigan to 14 points. The defense, while giving up big plays, held Michigan down for a good portion of the game. Third down run defense was a problem again for the Nittany Lions, who gave up a 22-yard touchdown on third and long to Donovan Edwards after the Wolverines ran the ball off the right side on third-and-long for a touchdown.
Neither team was interested in throwing the football in this game. Michigan scored a field goal in the third quarter on a 13-play, 45-yard drive that lasted eight minutes and featured zero completed passes. That drive was set up by a critical Drew Allar fumble that set up the score. Those points were the first given up by the Penn State defense in the third quarter this season. Through the first 45 minutes of the game, the two teams combined for just 21 passing attempts.
It was hot and cold again for the Penn State offense, who had two three-and-outs in the first half but also put together two five-plus minute drives that ended in points.
A critical moment in the fourth quarter
Penn State had a chance to strike early in the fourth quarter after the Penn State defense forced Michigan three-and-out from the shadow of the goal line. But special teams came up big on a questionable call on the return.
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Sensational returner Daequan Hardy returned the ball near the 50-yard line, but a holding call on receiver Malik Meiga resulted in a swing of nearly 20 yards. Penn State ultimately punted and gave the ball back to the Wolverines, yet again failing to mount an offensive threat late in the game.
But the Penn State defense held stout and prolonged the Nittnay Lions’ chances to close the gap on the next drive. But the Nittany Lions offense, with eight minutes left in the game, failed to mount a drive, going three-and-out once again.
Penn State, aided by several penalties by Michigan, scored on an eight-yard touchdown pass to Theo Johnson with two minutes left. However, the two-point conversion failed, and the Nittany Lions were down nine and didn’t recover the onside kick.
Join the BWI Live Show to discuss the game and what you think led to the final score. We’ll be taking comments and questions throughout the roughly hour-long show. If you haven’t yet, subscribe to the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel.
