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Penn State Football gets over the hump with 27-17 win over Michigan | Takeaways

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Nov 28, 2020; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Parker Washington (3) runs the ball against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2020; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Parker Washington (3) runs the ball against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State football gets their first win of the season 27-17, and first win on the road in Ann Arbor since 2009.

After starting 0-5 for the first time in program history, Penn State football is off the schneid, and in the win column for the first time in 2020.

In a matchup of two underachieving perennial powers, Penn State dominated the Wolverines, outplaying Michigan in all phases of a 27-17 win.

The Nittany Lions’ victory sends Michigan to 2-4 and raises even more questions about Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s job security.

The warts that led this team to 0-5 certainly showed at times Saturday afternoon, however, it was a solid team win.

Penn State outgained Michigan 417 yards to 286, did not turn the ball over and dominated the time of possession 36 minutes to 23 for the Wolverines. Some of those warts were mental errors, questionable coaching decisions and penalties, however this is a win that Penn State should be proud of and can build off of moving forward the rest of the way.

Here are three big takeaways from the victory in Ann Arbor:

Freshmen shine on offense

Penn State football came into this game starting five freshman on the offensive side of the ball. With Tight end Pat Freieurmuth out for the year and running back Devyn Ford out for this game, it was a chance to really get the young Nittany Lions more reps, and they rewarded the coaching staff.

Freshman back Keyvone Lee had been showing signs of what he could do in previous weeks, but today was a coming out party for the Florid native.

Lee carried the ball 22 times for 134 yards and a touchdown, most of hi work coming on two key scoring drives, one early and one late that all but salted away a victory for Penn State. For the first time this season, they had a tailback breaking tackles, pushing the pile and getting those tough hidden yards. Fellow freshman Coziah Holmes saw more action as well, with 10 carries for 34 yards however it seems that Lee at 230 pounds is more ready for Big Ten football at the moment.

Freshman wide receiver Parker Washington has been on the scene for this offense, however was spectacular today, catching nine passes on 12 targets for 93 yard. Because they were able to get the running game going, the RPO was effective and Washington killed the Michigan defense with slants right through the heart of the defense.

With the ball in his hands, we got to see a lot of what the coaching staff has talked about with Washington, looking like a running back after the catch.

With three games left in the season this offensive youth movement should continue and should give Penn State fans a glimmer of hope heading into 2021. The cupboard is not bare.

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