Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions performance vs. Michigan

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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: Garrett Taylor #17, Lamont Wade #38 and Jaquan Brisker #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate a fourth down stop in the final minutes of the game 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) /

C. . . . SECONDARY

The secondary struggled in last week’s game vs. Iowa after they allowed 286 passing yards to Nate Stanley, and it was more of the same in this game. Shea Patterson threw for 276 yards, which is tied for the second-highest he’s ever thrown for at Michigan.

In the second half, Michigan moved the ball with ease as wide receivers were open on most passing plays. If it weren’t for a dropped pass by Ronnie Bell, the game would have been tied with just over two minutes left.

Screen passes and short passes over the middle worked the entire game on the secondary. There were no passing touchdowns allowed by the Penn State defense, but these short passes allowed put Michigan in position to score their three touchdowns. In addition, the Nittany Lions had two pass interference penalties called against them.

The one bright spot for the secondary was the interception in the first half by cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields. This led to a Penn State touchdown on the next offensive drive. Castro-Fields had eight tackles and a pass defended as well.

Safety Garrett Taylor had eight tackles and a sack (Penn State’s only one of the game). Safety Lamont Wade had seven tackles and two passes defended. Cornerback John Reid had six tackles and a pass defensed, and safety Jaquan Brisker had two tackles and a QB hurry.

It’s clear that the one way to beat the Penn State defense is throwing the ball. I expected Michigan two throw the ball a ton, which they did, and I fully expect Michigan State to do the same thing,

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