Sydney McKinney-Williams, Staff Writer
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9), scrambles out of the pocket. Photo//Shuttershock
The #3 Michigan Wolverines collected their seventh consecutive conference win of the season over #10 Penn State, defeating the Nittany Lions 24-15 despite head coach Jim Harbaugh’s suspension and the team’s recent sign stealing scandal — a tactic that has been banned by the NCAA since 1994.
Many current players and alumni took to social media to show support for Harbaugh, and argued that the suspension was not necessary. There was also talk of the suspension being justified given the context of cheating in football.
The program filed to seek a court order to overturn the suspension, but regardless of the situation, the Wolverines still came ready to play.
Penn State was able to get on the board first with a 20-yard field goal by Alex Felkins to take the lead 3-0 in the first quarter. The Wolverines fired back in the second quarter with a three-yard touchdown run by Blake Corum. This put the team up 7-3, and they proceeded to follow it with a 22-yard touchdown run by Donovan Edwards to put them up 14-3.
At the very end of the second quarter, Penn State came back with a touchdown of their own with a 11-yard touchdown run by quarterback Drew Allar. Then they were able to make the score closer by 14-9 going into halftime, but they missed a two point conversion after the touchdown.
In the third quarter, kicker James Turner converted on a 22-yard field goal to bring the score to 17-9. Then, in the fourth quarter, Corum found the end zone again on a three–yard touchdown run to extend Michigan's lead 24-9.
In the final two minutes, Penn State’s Theo Jackson had a eight-yard touchdown pass, bringing the final score to 24-15 to close the game.
Michigan took the lead early and never looked back, securing a smooth win against a tough Penn State team. J.J. McCarthy did not have to do much in the victory, only completing 7 of 8 passes for 60 yards. The Wolverines dominated on the ground, finishing with a total of 227 rushing yards and multiple touchdowns.