State College, PA – Amid the sign stealing and scouting scandal that banned head Coach Jim Harbaugh from the sideline, Michigan (10-0, 7-0) stayed on the ground for 32 straight plays and Penn State’s offense could not overcome the Wolverine defense to win, 24-15, to remain No. 2 in the AP. Penn State had no offensive answers as they gained 74 yards through the air and 168 on the ground. The Wolverines stopped the Nittany Lions on 10 of 14 third down conversions. Some questionable play calling by the offense got PSU offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich fired the day after the game. Michigan won the game under the game day guidance of their offensive line coach Sherrone Moore.
Good first half, questionable ending
Before the first period ended, the Lions scored first driving 66 yards to the Michigan three. They settled for Alex Felkin’s 20-yard field goal. The Wolverines responded with a 78-yard drive finished off by Blake Corum’s three-yard touchdown run to lead, 7-3. After a Lion three-and-out, this time the Wolverines drove 75 yards capped by Donovan Edward’s 22-yard run to extend the lead. Not to be outdone this time, the Lions roared back. They converted wo fourth downs into firsts before QB Drew Allar capped the drive with an 11-yard TD run.
Trailing, 14-9, with an entire half to play, State HC James Franklin decided to go for two. Michigan stuffed the attempt. After the game on ESPN radio, we heard Franklin describe the Michigan defense as tough. Based on that, he and decided to go for two despite the entire second half yet to be played. Guest Game Analyst Paul Fraley and I determined from what we we saw in the first half, it seemed more like a lack of confidence in his offense by James Franklin.
No need for Wolverines to steal signs in this one
As I recorded in my pregame analysis, from my observations made at the PSU vs. Illinois game previously, Penn State had to improve on two things since. Firstly, Allar had to look off his receivers. No need to steal signs by anybody to stop this. As soon as Allar drops back to pass, he looks only at his primary receiver. The secondary knows where the football is going. Every PSU pass attempt, I saw who he was throwing to from Row 43 among the record crowd of 110,856 at Beaver Stadium. Obviously, the maize and blue secondary knew this too. On the other hand, every time Allar rolled right, an unblocked defender pressured him from the left forcing rushed, errant passes. They sacked him once.
More help for James Franklin
Secondly, I saw only one play action pass among Allar’s drop back and roll-outs. Among his 22 attempts, he made 10 completions for only 70 yards today. In that one case, the fake froze the Wolverines momentarily, and Allar completed a pass. Never ran another play action again in this game. On Sunday for the balance of this season, Franklin named co-offensive coordinators in running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider and tight ends coach Ty Howle to replace Yurcich. Time will tell in the next three games (bowl included) if Penn State will see any strategic changes at all. If not, Franklin will have to answer to more regarding his philosophy behind the Lions’ passing game strategy.
What goes around comes around?
What’s interesting is that next Saturday, Rutgers visits State College with Offensive Coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. After the 2020 season at Penn State as OC when PSU defeated Michigan, 27-17, in the season of Covid-19, Franklin released him and hired Yurcich. Rutgers has at least improved with him this year. They to come into this game at 6-3, 3-3 despite a shutout by Iowa last week. Franklin certainly hopes that his defense doesn’t let up after the loss to the Wolverines.
Biding time in the third
In the third period on the first series, a run up the middle by Allar resulted in a lost fumble. The Wolverines taking over at the PSU 45. Following two rushing attempts at the end of the first half, U of M never threw another official pass the rest of this game. Michigan came up with James Turner’s 22-yard FG, but they ate up 8:04 off the clock. Both teams punted three times each on the next six series. Both combined for only 12 plays each over this juncture. After a four-yard run by Penn State to their own 30, Allar threw three incomplete passes. They turned the ball over on downs to Michigan with only 4:21 left in the game.
Fool us once, but twice?
At the PSU 30, Corum (26 carries for 145 yards, 2 TDs) ran around the left side of the bewildered PSU defense for a 24-9 lead. Seemingly out of reach, Penn State fought back for a second touchdown. On their eighth play on a 75-yard drive, Allar connected with TE Theo Johnson for an eight-yard TD. Despite Franklin’s comment about analytics after the game, his decision to go for two points at this moment made no practical sense whatsoever. If he elected to kick the PAT, most assuredly good with Felkin, his team would stay in reach by eight. If an onsides kick became successful, his anemic offense may still have a chance to tie in regulation. Instead, the Wolverines thwarted the two-point attempt.
With 1:59 left, the beleaguered Lions trailed now by nine. The onsides was recovered by Michigan. They triumphed over Penn State, 24-15. In post game reviews, Franklin admits he needs to get his young quarterback some help. I wish the old East Stroudsburg QB would give me a call. I have two messages to give him to help his young QB out right away.
Next for Lions, Wolverines and CFF.com!
As stated, Rutgers (6-3, 3-3) visits Penn State (8-2, 5-2) next Saturday. Michigan visits Maryland before hosting No. 3 Ohio State in what should be a battle between unbeatens. We at collegefootballfan.com are on the road again already this week for two MACtion games. We’re excited about the first of our two. We head to Bowling Green, Ohio for the “Battle of Interstate 75.” The Toledo Rockets (9-1,6-0) visit the Bowling Green Falcons in our first game to be attended at Perry Stadium.
Big MAC Attacks
The Rockets only loss came in their opener to FBS opponent Illinois, 30-28. However, the Falcons have come via a road more well-traveled. Their four losses came against foes with a combined record of 35-5, including losses to two undefeated (10-0) teams we watched play recently this season – Liberty and Michigan. Against common MAC play opponents, the Rockets are 3-0 and the Falcons 2-1. Both defeated Buffalo and Ball State. Toledo beat Miami (O.) while the Falcons got whipped by the Red Hawks, 27-0. Throw that out the window. This is a rivalry we were told about many years ago by business colleagues of both schools – Jack Howald of BGSU and his boss Jerry Yeager, a former Toledo quarterback. They compared this MAC rivalry to that of the Big Ten’s Ohio State vs. Michigan! We’re attending in their honor.
Speaking of Miami, we’ll travel to Oxford the next day to see the Red Hawks (8-2, 5-1) host Buffalo (3-7, 3-4). I look forward to seeing the statue honoring The Cradle of Coaches there. I’ve seen some of the honorees roam the sidelines over these many years. If the Red Hawks defeat the Bulls and then Ball State in their season finale, they will most likely face Toledo in the MAC championship in Detroit. If so, both teams will boast of 10-win seasons. Toledo defeated Miami already, 27-17. Revenge factor?
Potential unplanned bowl trip
We figure the winner would get a shot to play a Big Ten entry at the Quick Lane Bowl, again in Detroit. The runner-up may get a shot to play Liberty, currently ranked No. 25, in the Bahamas Bowl that will be played in Charlotte this year. If that happens with Liberty’s record unblemished, we may have to work that one into our bowl slate. Either MAC team against the Flames will make for a great post-season, must-see match-up.
