ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Penn State collected a season-high 254 rushing yards as it earned a 27-17 win over Michigan on Saturday. It was Penn State’s first win in The Big House since 2009.
Penn State (1-5, 1-5 Big Ten) gained 417 total yards, its fourth time this season reaching the 400-yard mark. The Nittany Lions were led by Keyvone Lee, who rushed for a career-high 134 yards on 22 carries, while adding a 6-yard score. Sean Clifford completed 17-of-28 passes for 163 yards. He added 73 yards on the ground, including a 29-yard touchdown run. Will Levis added a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to help put the game away. Parker Washington led the PSU receivers with nine catches for 93 yards, both career marks.
The Nittany Lions held Michigan (2-4, 2-4 Big Ten) to 126 total yards in the second half. Penn State limited the Wolverines to 112 passing yards for the game. A balanced defensive effort saw five players record at least five tackles, led by Ellis Brooks’ six stops. Jaquan Brisker, PJ Mustipher, Brandon Smith and Marquis Wilson each had five tackles.
POSTGAME NOTES: Penn State vs. Michigan
TEAM
- Penn State is now 10-14 all-time against Michigan.
- The Nittany Lions moved to 4-8 on the road against Michigan.
- This was Penn State’s first win in Ann Arbor since Oct. 24, 2009, a 35-10 victory.
- TE Theo Johnson, RB Keyvone Lee and CB Marquis Wilson became the 11th,12th and 13th Nittany Lions to make their first career start this year and the third and fourth true freshman (WRs Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith).
- With starts by RB Keyvone Lee, WR Parker Washington and TE Theo Johnson, Penn State had a true freshman starting the same game at running back, wide receiver and tight end for the first time in program history.
- The Nittany Lions travel to Rutgers on Saturday. Kick time and network designation will be announced on Sunday.
OFFENSE
Team
- The Nittany Lions gained a season-high 254 rushing yards. It was Penn State’s highest rushing total since earning 396 yards in the 2019 Cotton Bowl against Memphis.
- Penn State tallied 417 total yards, its fourth game this season reaching the 400-yard mark.
- The Nittany Lions’ 50 rushing attempts are their eighth-most in the James Franklin era. Penn State has attempted at least 50 rushes in three games this season (52 at Indiana, 52 at Nebraska).
- 267 of Penn State’s 417 total yards came from true freshmen (Lee 134, Washington 93, Holmes 40).
- QB Sean Clifford became the 12th Penn State quarterback to reach and surpass 4,000 career passing yards. He now totals 4,082 career passing yards.
- Clifford now has 506 career passing attempts to move into 13th all-time, passing Kevin Thompson (495) and Michael Robinson (505).
- With 73 rushing yards, Clifford now has 654 career rushing yards. He jumps to 5th all-time by a quarterback, passing Zack Mills, Daryll Clark and Richie Lucas.
- Clifford scored his seventh career rushing touchdown in the second quarter to move into a tie for 10th place all-time by a quarterback.
- Clifford has 43 career touchdowns responsible for to move into a tie for 10th all-time with Chuck Fusina.
- Clifford had two 20-plus yard runs (28 yards, 29 yards) for seven total in his career.
- RB Keyvone Lee had a career-high 134 rushing yards, surpassing his previous total of 49 yards at Nebraska this (11/14/20).
- Lee had a career-high 22 rushing attempts, topping his previous mark of eight at Nebraska (11/14/20).
- Lee’s 134 rushing yards were the most by a Penn State freshman since Saquon Barkley’s 194 yards at Ohio State in 2015.
- Lee became the first Nittany Lion freshman to rush for 100 yards since Noah Cain against Iowa in 2019.
- WR Parker Washington has caught a pass in all six games of his career.
- Washington had a career-high 93 receiving yards, topping his previous high of 73 against Ohio State (10/31/20).
- Washington recorded a career-high nine catches. His previous best was eight against Maryland (11/7/20).
- Washington has totaled at least 70 yards receiving in four of six games this season.
- Washington had two 20-plus yard receptions (20 yards, 22 yards) to bring his career total to five.
- Washington’s nine receptions are the most by a Penn State freshman since DaeSean Hamilton’s 14 receptions vs. Ohio State in 2014.
- RB Caziah Holmes registered a career-best 10 rushing attempts, surpassing his previous mark of nine against Maryland (11/7/20).
- WR Isaac Lutz had a career-long 16-yard reception in the first quarter. His previous career high was a 15-yard catch at Maryland (9/27/19).
- Lutz had a career-high three receptions. His previous high was one at Maryland (9/27/19).
- Lutz totaled a career-best 30 yards, surpassing his previous best of 15 yards against Maryland in 2019.
- WR Jahan Dotson has caught at least one pass in 26-straight games, dating back to Indiana game (10/20/18).
- Dotson now has 1,248 career receiving yards to move to 22nd all-time, passing David Daniels and DeAndre Thompkins.
- QB Will Levis had 25 rushing yards to total 334 career rushing yards. He moves to 10th all-time by a quarterback, passing Galen Hall and Pete Liske.
DEFENSE
Team
- Penn State held the Wolverines to 126 total yards in the second half.
- DE Jayson Oweh has 36 tackles through six games, the most by a Penn State DL since Daquan Jones in 2013 (39).
- DT Hakeem Beamon collected his first career tackle for loss in the first quarter.
- LB Lance Dixon tied a career best with a solo tackle for loss in the second quarter.
- CB Marquis Wilson tied a career best with five tackles, including four solo stops.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Pinegar
- With two field goals and three converted extra-point attempts, K Jake Pinegar passed Larry Johnson for 11th all-time with 221 career points.
- Drew Hartlaub collected his second career fumble recovery on a muffed Michigan punt return in the second quarter. His first recovery came against Purdue last season (10/5/19).
GAME RECAP & NOTES COURTESY OF PENN STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.