Nittany Lions Snare First One at The Big House

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 of the season after an 0-5 start and the 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.

Michigan’s offense was paced by Hassan Haskins’ 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Cade McNamara completed 12-of-25 passes for 91 yards. On defense, Josh Ross led the Wolverines with 12 tackles.

The Nittany Lions’ starters included RB Keyvone Lee, WR Parker Washington and TE Theo Johnson marking the first time in program history that Penn State has started a freshman at all three positions in a game.

Penn State scored on its opening drive for the first time this season, finishing the drive on a 6-yard run by Lee. On the drive, Lee gained 39 yards on six carries, while Clifford completed a 20-yard pass to Washington and a 16-yard strike to Isaac Lutz to setup the Nittany Lions in the red zone.

Michigan answered late in the first quarter. Haskins scored on a 2-yard run after having a 59-yard burst on the first play of the drive.

Clifford found the end zone on a 28-yard run in the second quarter. On a draw play, the Nittany Lion offensive line created a huge hole up the middle for Clifford to run through and find his way up the left sideline, untouched into the end zone.

The Nittany Lions added to their lead with a 22-yard field goal by Jake Pinegar to close out the first half. Penn State benefitted from a muffed punt return that bounced right into the hands of Drew Hartlaub at the Michigan 27-yard line. A 9-yard connection from Clifford to Dotson and a 10-yard run on a draw by Clifford setup an easy kick for Pinegar.

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter with Jake Moody hitting a 40-yard kick for the Wolverines and Pinegar converting a 33-yard field goal for the Nittany Lions.

Michigan cut the Nittany Lions’ lead to three early in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by Haskins.

However, Penn State responded with a 12-play, 75-yard drive covering five minutes. The drive finished on a 2-yard touchdown run around the right side of the line by Will Levis. A key 24-yard run by Lee took the Nittany Lions into Michigan territory. The drive was aided by two catches by Dotson that resulted in first downs. Levis’ score put the Nittany Lions ahead by two possessions, 27-17.

Penn State travels to Rutgers next Saturday, Dec. 5 for a Big Ten East matchup. Game time and television coverage will be announced Sunday.