Penn State Football: Nittany Lions Struggle In 28-16 Loss To Michigan

With 8:05 to play in regulation Penn State stood just three feet from Michigan’s endzone with two options, kick a field goal, or try for a touchdown and in turn a two point conversion to tie the game.

James Franklin opted to take the points, cutting Michigan’s lead to 21-16 and coming away from another red zone trip nearly empty handed.

The decision was not without a reasonable defense. It kept the game close and hypothetically allowed Michigan to kick a field goal and keep the game within a single score.

But Michigan answered with a long kickoff return and a touchdown shortly thereafter effectively ending any reasonable hope of a comeback by the Nittany Lions.

It was in that long return that Penn State’s day could be seen boiled down to a few seconds. Missed tackles, lacking talent and just not enough improvement deep in November to make a crucial stop at a crucial moment.

Penn State had chances, three in the red zone, and came away with nine points. The Nittany Lions had chances on defense, two forced turnovers gave Penn State life but little came of it. Saquon Barkley’s 56-yard run early in regulation gave the hopeful a reason to justify that hope but just three points were the result.

In return Michigan answered with a methodic seven play 89-yard touchdown drive to go up 7-3. When Christian Hackenberg stepped up in the pocket he was sacked. When Jake Rudock did the same he found wide open targets. The Nittany Lions were not short on opportunities but they fell short on capitalizing on them.

Saeed Blacknall gave Penn State a lead late in the first half on a 25-yard catch to put the Nittany Lions up 10-7 with 2:01 to go in the half. Michigan responded in kind just 1:06 later to take a 14-10 lead into the break. With 45 seconds to go in the half Penn State opted to let the clock run and exited the field to a chorus of confused and frustrated boos.

The second half provided little respite for the faithful as Penn State came just one play shy of finishing the middle 15 minutes of regulation having gained negative three yards. A 38-yard catch and run by Chris Godwin saving Penn State from putting together a disappointing third quarter. All of which came shortly after a Michigan touchdown following a punt return fumble just 24-yards from the endzone.

So facing a short field and 15 minutes to change the outcome of the game Penn State opted for a field goal and not a touchdown.

The Nittany Lions ended the game 207 yards of offense with Hackenberg going 13-of-31 for 137 yards and a score. Barkley finished with 68 yards on 15 carries.

Penn State heads to East Lansing next weekend to face Michigan State in the final game of the regular season.