Michigan hands Penn State its first L of the season in 41-17 rout at the Big House

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It was a momentum-charged afternoon between Penn State and Michigan, with both firmly favoring the Wolverines, 41-17, at the Big House.

The 10th-ranked Nittany Lions (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) hung around through halftime courtesy of a few plays that masked their early struggles. But No. 5 Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) dominated the second half – its rushing attack of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards paved the way with 339 total yards (418 as a team).

Penn State hadn’t been tested this season like it was Saturday.

“They’re a good football team,” coach James Franklin said. “Give them credit. But we did not play well.”

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford finished with 120 yards on 7-of-19 passing. His counterpart, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy had only 145 yards completing 17 of 24.

Call it a true assessment of where this version of the Nittany Lions stands. Questions about how well Penn State’s defense can hang with some of college football’s best offenses were answered. As were inquiries about whether the offense had taken more than just a short step forward from its one-dimensional nature a year ago.

“We did not control the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball,” said Franklin. “Offensively, we weren’t able to convert in short-yardage situations and stay on the field. Defensively, we weren’t able to get off the field.”

Michigan built what felt like an insurmountable 13-point lead midway through the second quarter. The Wolverines amassed nearly 200 total yards compared to 9 from the Nittany Lions –– with no first downs.

On third-and-1 from the 34, Clifford faked a handoff to freshman running back Nick Singleton. He leaned right, tucked the ball, and bolted 62 yards into an open field. Tripped up just shy of the goal line, his run accounted for Clifford’s longest career rush and Penn State’s longest offensive play of the day. The sixth-year quarterback finished with 74 yards on six rushes.

The ensuing Michigan possession ended in a Chop Robinson tipped pass, landing in Curtis Jacobs’ hands for a pick-six, which put Penn State on top, 14-13.

However, Penn State would find its luck wane, while Michigan’s offense flourished.

“I feel like everything that we game-planned for was there,” wide receiver Mitch Tinsley said. “It just came down to execution. … You kind of take it to the chin. Tomorrow is a whole new day.”

Penn State had a fourth-and-6 midway through the third quarter, trailing by a touchdown. Some confusion at the line of scrimmage at Michigan’s 39forced an unwanted timeout. An incomplete pass handed possession to the Wolverines.

Corum took the next play 61 yards for a touchdown. The TD would create a two-possession lead for Michigan and create enough momentum in favor of the Wolverines for the remainder of the afternoon.

Michigan’s backfield doubled the rushing total of Auburn, arguably Penn State’s second toughest opponent so far. Auburn ran for 119 yards. No other team has reached triple digits.

Both Corum and Edwards ran for 60-plus yard touchdowns. Corum finished with 166 yards on 28 touches and two scores. Edwards had 16 attempts for 173 yards.

Penn State’s dynamic freshman running backs, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, only combined for 35 yards and one touchdown from Allen.

Penn State hosts Minnesota (7:30 p.m., 6abc) for its annual homecoming and White Out game. The two teams last played in 2019, with the Golden Gophers winning 31-26.