Penn State’s slide kept rolling in Ann Arbor, where Michigan edged the Lions 21-18 on Saturday in front of 110,731 fans at the Big House.
The loss was Penn State’s fourth straight, and a first half that should have produced more kept the Lions chasing from behind the whole afternoon. Rocco Becht came out sharp, completing 15 of 19 passes for 123 yards before halftime. But all that efficiency only translated into three points, leaving Penn State with a 3-0 lead at the break.
The second half told a different story. Becht cooled off after intermission and finished 28 of 44 for 267 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. Chase Sowell gave Penn State its biggest spark through the air, piling up 11 catches for 151 yards and a score.
Michigan made a notable change after halftime, turning from struggling quarterback Bryce Underwood to backup Tommy Carr. Underwood went just 5 of 11 for 43 yards and threw two interceptions in the first half. Carr, the grandson of former Wolverine coach Lloyd Carr, got an immediate lift from the crowd when he entered and responded with a steadier stretch for the home team.
Carr completed 5 of 8 passes for 47 yards, and Michigan looked more in rhythm the rest of the way. After an option touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Big House crowd broke into chants of “Tom-my!” as he came off the field.
Penn State, now 3-4 overall and 0-4 in the Big Ten, has a bye next week before hosting Purdue on Oct. 31. A kickoff time and television has yet to be announced.
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Got A Court Decision They Will Have Strong Feelings About
A Centre County judge has declined to ease a parole restriction that keeps Braeden A. Phillips away from Penn State football games and wrestling matches, a decision that will resonate with plenty of fans who have followed the case. Judge Brian Marshall denied Phillips request to loosen the condition, which bars him from attending those events as part of the terms tied to his release.
Phillips pleaded guilty to making violent threats against State College Area High School and must stay at least 100 feet away from Penn State and other schools under his parole conditions. Marshall did leave the door open to a future request for a modification, but for now the restriction remains in place. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Fans Just Got A New Twist In The Kayne Clary Saga
Kayne Clarys legal fight with Penn State has come to an abrupt halt, at least for now. The former Nittany Lions basketball captain has discontinued his federal defamation and unjust enrichment lawsuit against the university, coach Mike Rhoades and others, ending a case that had accused the program of intimidation, retaliation, slander and illegal use of his Name, Image and Likeness.
The move comes during the discovery stage, before the case had reached a courtroom test of those claims. Clary was suspended and dismissed from the team before moving on to Mississippi State and then Oklahoma State, and the latest development leaves Penn State with one less off-court issue to navigate even as the circumstances around his departure still linger in the background. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Gets Encouraging Sign Before Tough Michigan Trip
Penn State heads into Ann Arbor with a familiar challenge in front of it, and the latest injury report at least gives both sides a clearer picture of who will be available for a game with real weight. The Nittany Lions are still dealing with several players sidelined, including some season-ending injuries, as they prepare for a matchup at the Big House, where their recent track record has not been kind.
Michigans report adds another layer of uncertainty, with two defensive ends listed as questionable ahead of kickoff. For Penn State, any edge matters on a trip that has not gone well lately, and the availability of a few key players could help shape whether this becomes another tough afternoon in Ann Arbor or a chance to finally change the feel of the series. [Read more 🡒]