Recap: Comeback attempt falls short as Michigan falls to Penn State, 28-21

Game summary

Michigan nearly came crawled back from a three-score deficit on Saturday night in Happy Valley, but an incompletion to Ronnie Bell on fourth-and-goal sealed the Wolverines' fate in a 28-21 loss to Penn State.

Final leaders

Passing

UM - Shea Patterson: 24/41, 276 yds., INT

PSU - Sean Clifford: 14/25, 182 yds., 3 TD

Rushing

UM - Zach Charbonnet: 15 atts., 82 yds., 2 TD

PSU - Ricky Slade: 3 atts., 48 yds.

Receiving

UM - Nico Collins: 6 recs., 89 yds.

PSU - KJ Hamler: 6 recs., 108 yds., 2 TD

Penn State ices game

Penn State takes over at the 3 with 2:01. Michigan has all three timeouts remaining.

Noah Cain rushes for 5 yards on first down. 

Timeout #1 Michigan (1:56 4th)

Cain gets 2 yards on second down.

Timeout #2 Michigan (1:51 4th)

KJ Hamler ices the game for Penn State with a 4-yard run that'll move the chains.

Timeout #3 Michigan (1:45 4th)

FINAL: Penn State 28, Michigan 21

Michigan squanders chance inside 10-yard-line

Michigan takes over in Penn State territory at the 47.

Nico Collins catches a pass from Shea Patterson on first down for a gain of 13.

Patterson throws out of bounds on the next play after the pocket collapses immediately. Patterson throws incomplete to Collins near the right sideline on second down. He hits Peoples-Jones on third down, but Michigan will be about 4 yards short of the line to gain. The Wolverines will go for it.

Patterson escapes a closing pocket and throws a strike to Collins for a gain of 6 and a first down at the Penn State 21. 

Zach Charbonnet plows ahead for a 3-yard gain on first down. Patterson is wrapped up after a gain of only 1 on second down. Erick All is open over the middle and hauls in a 10-yard pass from Patterson. First-and-goal from the 7.

Charbonnet rushes for 2 yards on first down. Patterson is chased out of bounds at the 3-yard-line on second down. He throws to Peoples-Jones in the end zone on third down, an incompletion. 2:07 left, the Wolverines will go for it.

Ronnie Bell can't hold onto Patterson's throw in the end zone on fourth down. Penn State gets it at the 3.

Penn State 28, Michigan 21 (2:01 4th)

Michigan defense gets huge stop after touchdown

Jake Moody's kickoff goes for a touchback. 

Sean Clifford throws to Ricky Slade in the backfield, a play that's sniffed out easily by Cam McGrone and Josh Metellus and stopped for a loss of 4. Clifford is sacked by McGrone for a loss of 5 on second down. Clifford is nearly sacked again on third down, but manages to get off a shovel pass to Slade that's good for a gain of 6. It'll be fourth-and-16.

Donovan Peoples-Jones returns Blake Gillikin's punt to the Penn State 47.

Penn State 28, Michigan 21 (6:54 4th)

Michigan cuts Penn State's lead to 28-21 with 8:48 to go

Michigan takes over at the 25.

Shea Patterson escapes from the pocket and fires complete to Nico Collins for a 13-yard gain on first down.

He throws over the middle to Nick Eubanks on second down for a completion that's good for 15 yards and another first down at the Penn State 47. 

Hassan Haskins goes for a gain of 3 on first down and Patterson gets 3 more on second down. Ronnie Bell slips a tackler on a catch in the flat and makes his way all the way to Penn State's 5-yard-line. Great effort by Bell after hauling that one in.

Patterson's try to Tarik Black in the end zone on first down draws a face mask penalty on the defender. First-and-goal from the 3, now.

Zach Charbonnet rushes for a yard on first down and is wrapped up for no gain on second down. Haskins gets into the end zone on third down, making it a one-score game once again, but it's called back after he's ruled short of the end zone. 

Patterson sneaks it up the middle on fourth down. After every body is removed from the pile, the Michigan quarterback is laying on the ground with the ball across the goal line. Touchdown, Michigan.

Penn State 28, Michigan 21 (13:14 4th)

Penn State regains 14-point lead 

Penn State takes over at the 25.

Sean Clifford gains a yard on first down and is sacked by Josh Uche for a loss of 2 to end the quarter.

END 3RD: Penn State 21, Michigan 14

Clifford escapes the pocket and throws a deep ball that's way beyond his receiver, but it draws a holding penalty on Michigan. Penn State has an automatic first down at the 34.

Journey Brown rushes for a yard on first down and 4 on second down. Clifford connects with KJ Hamler over the middle for a gain of 8 to keep the drive alive and give Penn State a first down at the Penn State 47.

Clifford then takes a deep shot to Hamler, who's wide open in the third level of the field and takes it to the house for a 53-yard touchdown.

Penn State 28, Michigan 14 (13:14 4th)

Michigan makes it a one-score game near end of third quarter

Michigan takes over at the 35.

Zach Charbonnet goes up the middle for a gain of 14 yards on first down.

He gets 3 yards on the next play, crossing midfield and going down at the Penn State 48. Shea Patterson throws complete to Ronnie Bell for a gain of 11 yards on the next play, setting up first-and-10 from the Penn State 37.

After throwing away his first-down throw, Patterson throws complete to Nico Collins for a gain of 9 on second down. Charbonnet goes up the middle for a gain of 10 on third down to give the Wolverines a first down at the 18.

Charbonnet again gets the carry and is spun down at the 12 for a gain of 6. Charbonnet finishes the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. It's a one-score game.

Penn State 21, Michigan 14 (1:05 3rd)

Penn State goes three-and-out again

Sean Clifford tries to escape the pocket and is dropped by Cam McGrone for a gain of 1 to start the drive. Ricky Slade gains 2 yards on second down. Clifford's third-down throw sails over the head of his receiver.

Penn State 21, Michigan 7 (4:15 3rd)

Michigan offense yet to find groove in second half

Shea Patterson throws complete to Ronnie Bell for a gain of 12 yards on first down. It'll be first-and-10 from the 22. 

Patterson rushes for 4 yards on the next play. He hits Bell on a quick screen to his left on second down for a gain of 17 to the Michigan 43.

Patterson throws incomplete to Nico Collins on first down. Another screen on second down, this time to Peoples-Jones for a gain of 6. Haskins dropped at midfield for a gain of 1. 

Will Hart's punt is fair caught at the 16.

Penn State 21, Michigan 7 (5:42 3rd)

Michigan defense forces another three-and-out

Devyn Ford rushes for 2 yards on first down. Sean Clifford somehow escapes from the pocket on second down and eventually throws the pass away. Clifford throws deep to Hamler on third down but it's just behind the receiver, allowing Josh Uche (yes, you read that correctly) to get back in coverage and help break up the throw alongside Brad Hawkins.

Donovan Peoples-Jones is tackled at the 10 on the punt. 

Penn State 21, Michigan 7 (8:22 3rd)

Michigan's first drive of half comes up empty

Shea Patterson escapes from a closing pocket and scrambles up the middle for a gain of 12 on first down.

Hassan Haskins is tackled for no gain on the next play. Patterson rolls to his right and throws incomplete to Tarik Black. Ronnie Bell draws a flag for pass interference on third down to set up first-and-10 from the 37.

Haskins goes nowhere on first down but gains 4 on second down. Patterson has nowhere to go with the ball on third down and is dropped for a loss of 7 by Garrett Taylor.

KJ Hamler takes it to the Penn State 22 on the return.

Penn State 21, Michigan 7 (9:22 3rd)

Michigan bounces back after shaky start to second half

KJ Hamler returns the second-half kickoff all the way to the house for a Penn State touchdown.

But it's called back for a pair of holding penalties. Michigan was also called for a sideline penalty. Penn State will start at the 45.

Noah Cain spins his way to the Michigan 43 for a gain of 12 on first down.

Sean Clifford's deep shot on the next play falls incomplete, and after a run of 2 yards, Cameron McGrone ends Penn State's drive by forcing a loss of 3 on third down.

Michigan will start at the 10.

Penn State 21, Michigan 7 (12:49 3rd)

Halftime leaders

Passing

UM - Shea Patterson: 12/22, 122 yds., INT

PSU - Sean Clifford: 9/16, 115 yds., 2 TD

Rushing

UM - Zach Charbonnet: 6 atts., 30 yds., TD

PSU - Ricky Slade: 2 atts., 46 yds.

Receiving

UM - Nico Collins: 2 recs., 47 yds.

PSU - KJ Hamler: 4 recs., 47 yds.

Michigan defense gets another stop before halftime

Pat Freiermuth is brought down after a gain of 7 on first down. 

Sean Clifford's throw on the next play is incomplete. It'll be third-and-3 from the Penn State 48 with 27 seconds left in the half. Clifford is tackled for a gain of 2 on third down, bringing up fourth-and-1.

Donovan Peoples-Jones is brought down at the Michigan 5 on the punt return.

END 2ND: Penn State 21, Michigan 7

Michigan can't make it a one-score game before half

Shea Patterson opens the drive with a 19-yard completion to Donovan Peoples-Jones at the Penn State 45. 

Patterson is forced to throw it away on the next play after Jan Johnson breaks through the line. Patterson gets off a throw to Charbonnet on second down for a 4-yard completion. Patterson's third-down throw is dropped by Ronnie Bell.

Jim Harbaugh sends out the field-goal unit for a 58-yard try...?

Timeout #2 Michigan (0:56 2nd)

Jake Moody's try is short. Obviously.

Penn State 21, Michigan 7 (0:51 2nd)

Michigan defense forces three-and-out before half

Journey Brown goes up the middle for a gain of 4 on first down. Sean Clifford steps up in the pocket under pressure and takes a deep shot at Jahan Dotson that goes just beyond the intended target. Clifford throws the ball away on third down. Michigan will have some time with the ball when they get it back.

Blake Gillikin's punt is downed at the 36.

Penn State 21, Michigan 7 (1:53 2nd)

Michigan cuts into deficit before half

Michigan will take over at the 25.

Hassan Haskins is wrapped up for a gain of 1 on first down. Shea Patterson on second down fires complete to Nico Collins, who makes a move and cuts up the sideline for a pickup of 30 yards that'll give the Wolverines a first down at the Penn State 44.

Michigan then immediately takes a false start penalty, making it first-and-15 from the 49. Brutal.

Haskins picks up a chunk of 10 yards on first down and moves the chains with a 6-yard gain on second down.

Haskins is stopped for no gain on first down. Patterson scrambles and slides for a gain of 4 on second down. Donovan Peoples-Jones makes a catch that's just good enough to move the chains. It's first-and-10 at the 22.

Patterson throws over the middle to Peoples-Jones, he's hit extremely hard, popping the ball loose, and the ball is grabbed by Ronnie Bell and taken for a Michigan touchdown. The Wolverines are flagged for an ineligible receiver downfield, though, erasing a miraculous play. It's now first-and-15, too. 

Michigan finally catches a break in the penalty department, as Penn State draws a pass interference call. It'll be a first down for Michigan at the 12.

Charbonnet gets to the edge and gets Michigan on the board with a 12-yard touchdown run.

Penn State 21, Michigan 7 (3:30 2nd)

Penn State goes up 21-0 in second quarter

Penn State gets it at its 49.

Sean Clifford is brought down for no gain on first down but fires complete to KJ Hamler for a gain of 18 yards on the next play, setting up first-and-10 at the Michigan 32.

Ricky Slade goes for a gain of 2 on first down and Clifford gets 5 with his feet on second down. Clifford goes to the end zone on third down and finds Hamler for a 25-yard touchdown pass.

Penn State 21, Michigan 0 (7:22 2nd)

Patterson throws interception in own territory

Zach Charbonnet goes up the middle for a gain of 1 on first down. Tarik Black hauls in a pass for a gain of 5 on second down to bring up third-and-4. Shea Patterson hits Donovan Peoples-Jones on a quick slant for a gain of 8.

Patterson goes play-action on first down and throws deep to Nico Collins for a huge completion, but both receiver and defensive back are called for offsetting pass interference penalties. Michigan can't catch a break. 

Patterson can't hit Charbonnet in the flat on the next play and throws an interception right to a Penn State defender at the line of scrimmage on second down.

Penn State 14, Michigan 0 (9:43 2nd)

Michigan defense forces major three-and-out

Penn State takes over at the 29.

Sean Clifford throws complete to KJ Hamler for a gain of 4 on first down. Aidan Hutchinson bats down Clifford's pass at the line and it's nearly intercepted by Brad Hawkins. Clifford throws incomplete on third down.

Donovan Peoples-Jones is brought down at the 26 on the punt return.

Penn State 14, Michigan 0 (11:53 2nd)

Michigan offense somehow becoming less productive

Michigan will start at the 25.

Shea Patterson is sacked for a loss of 1 on first down. Hassan Haskins gets the handoff on second down and gains a yard. Patterson is tackled at the line of scrimmage on third down. 

Will Hart's punt is fielded by KJ Hamler and returned to the 26.

Penn State 14, Michigan 0 (12:47 2nd)

Penn State goes up 14-0 on first play of second quarter

Penn State turns up the heat on its first play of the drive, as Ricky Slade hits a hole throw the middle and turns on the after-burners before reaching the Michigan 20 with a gain of 44.

KJ Hamler rushes for a gain of 2 on the next play. Sean Clifford's throw to Slade on second down falls incomplete. Clifford somehow fights his way through an army of Michigan defenders and reaches the 8-yard-line with a 10-yard gain to set up first-and-goal.

Journey Brown rushes for 3 on first down.

END 1ST: Penn State 7, Michigan 0

Michael Dwumfour and Josh Metellus jump early on consecutive plays, bringing up second-and-goal from the 2. Clifford sneaks it in to give Penn State a two-score lead.

Penn State 14, Michigan 0 (14:54 2nd)

Another Michigan drive stalls in Penn State territory

Giles Jackson is drilled at the 14 on the kickoff return.

Shea Patterson throws to Ronnie Bell near the sideline on first down, an incompletion. He then throws to Donovan Peoples-Jones in the flat, but again, the pass is dropped. Nick Eubanks hauls in a throw over the middle for a gain of 19 that'll keep the chains moving. 

Patterson throws complete to Tarik Black on first down, but it goes for a loss of 3. Patterson scrambles from the pocket and slides down at the line to gain for a first down at Michigan's 43-yard-line.

Zach Charbonnet takes a direct snap on the next play and goes down in Penn State territory for a gain of 8. Charbonnet moves the chains with 6-yard gain on second down.

Patterson's first-down throw to Nico Collins is just off the mark and falls incomplete. Patterson hits Bell for a 7-yard gain on second down. Charbonnet is dropped for no gain on third down. Patterson throws under pressure on fourth-and-3 and can't complete a throw to Black. There was an absurd amount of contact by Penn State defensive back John Reid, and Michigan is dealt a sideline warning for Jim Harbaugh's wanting of a penalty.

Penn State 7, Michigan 0 (1:45 1st)

Penn State puts up first points of game

Penn State takes over at the 34.

Sean Clifford is chased from the pocket and salvages a 3-yard gain on first down. Kwity Payes gives Penn State 5 free yards by jumping ahead of the snap before second down. Noah Cain moves the chains with a 3-yard run to the 45.

Aidan Hutchinson tracks down Clifford from behind and brings him down for a 1-yard gain. Clifford's second-down throw down the sideline to Jahan Dotson is placed perfectly and hauled in for a 37-yard gain. That'll bring up first-and-10 from the Michigan 17.

Clifford goes over Khaleke Hudson with ease to Pat Freiermuth for a Nittany Lion touchdown.

Penn State 7, Michigan 0 (5:59 1st)

Michigan offense travels backward on second drive

Hassan Haskins is met immediately on first down after a gain of 1. Shea Patterson is flushed from the pocket and eventually throws to Donovan Peoples-Jones, who can't hold onto the throw. Jalen Mayfield is then flagged for a false start, bringing up third-and-14. Patterson hands it off to Zach Charbonnet for a 3-yard gain.

KJ Hamler loses 3 yards on his return to the 34.

Michigan 0, Penn State 0 (8:18 1st)

Penn State's opening drive ends quickly

Journey Brown gets the carry for Penn State on its first play from scrimmage, bruising his way to a 11-yard gain to give Penn State a new set of downs.

Sean Clifford's first-down throw is batted down by Michael Dwumfour. Clifford throws complete to the tight end Pat Freiermuth for a gain of 4 to bring up third-and-6. Brad Hawkins drops KJ Hamler immediately after the Penn State receiver catches a throw on a crossing route, resulting in no gain.

Donovan Peoples-Jones waives for a fair catch at the Michigan 15.

Michigan 0, Penn State 0 (9:55 1st)

Michigan's opening drive stalls in Penn State territory

Michigan will start with the ball at its 25.

The Wolverine offense is forced to use a timeout to avoid a delay of game before its first play from scrimmage. Yikes. 

Timeout #1 Michigan (15:00 1st)

Shea Patterson takes from an empty backfield and throws incomplete behind Giles Jackson on first down. Patterson keeps on second down and is hit hard by Micah Parsons after a gain of only 2. Patterson shuffles to his left and fires complete to Nico Collins for a gain of 17 that'll give the Wolverines a first down at the 44.

Patterson fakes the give to Haskins on first down and throws complete to Nick Eubanks for a gain of 2. Tarik Black catches a pass for a gain of 7 on second down to set up third-and-1 from the Penn State 47. Hassan Haskins is popped at the line of scrimmage for no gain on third down. 

Will Hart's punt goes for a touchback.

Michigan 0, Penn State 0 (11:42 1st)

Pregame

Follow along for live updates from Nolan Bianchi as No. 16 Michigan takes on No. 7 Penn State at Beaver Stadium (7:30 p.m., ABC/950)

MICHIGAN AT PENN STATE

Kickoff: 7:30 Saturday, Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.

TV/radio: ABC/950

Records: No. 16 Michigan is 5-1, 3-1 Big Ten; No. 7 Penn State is 6-0, 3-0

Line: Penn State by 8

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