Penn State Football: 3 takeaways from big win over Michigan in Week 8

By Dante Pryor | Oct 20, 2019

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - OCTOBER 19: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball on a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

2. Michigan played a gritty game

When the Michigan Wolverines got down early against the Wisconsin Badgers, they laid down and folded like a tent. They got down early, and did the opposite against the Nittany Lions.

Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown settled his defense down, and the Wolverine defense shut the Penn State offense down from midway in the second quarter to the beginning of the fourth quarter. Michigan’s defense gave their offensive counterparts an opportunity to get back into the game, and they took advantage.

Penn State’s defense was aggressive and their speed kept Michigan from hitting any explosive plays. Michigan ground out yards and first downs to bring the game within one possession.

Shea Patterson and the Wolverines couldn’t punch it in one last time late in the fourth quarter. Although the Wolverines came up short in their bid to come back in this one, you have to like the way they fought back into this game.

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