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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 quarterback Sean Clifford, left, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs celebrate a touchdown against Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, left, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs celebrate a touchdown against Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. /

A win is a win is a win

Penn State football played the best game of the season today, however as noted earlier, the Nittany Lions still showed glimpses of what caused this talented team to start 0-5.

Penn State’s defense jumped offside three times, twice by defensive end Jayson Oweh on third down, leading to first downs for the Michigan offense. Poor tackling and bad angles by the linebackers once again plagued Brent Pry’s defense at times, as Michigan ran for 174 yards on the ground, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

On offense, it was a mix of mental errors and head scratching coaching decisions, in the red zone in particular. After Michigan muffed a punt, Penn State was driving late in the second half, already up 14-7. Clifford ran for a first down, setting up first and goal at the five yard line with just over 20 seconds to go, and two timeouts in there back pocket, Penn State chose to have Clifford spike the ball to stop the clock. Unless Franklin was told he can carry the timeouts into the second half, that made zero sense. It eliminated one of there attempts into the end zone, and after two incomplete passes, they settled for a FG. Earlier in the game, on a third and one, they once again called on the Will Levis package, resulting in a false start which forced a 49 yard FG attempt, eventually missed by Jordan Stout.

These mental errors and coaching gaffes continue to read there ugly head at crucial times for Penn State football, and must get cleaned up. At the end of the day these things fall on the head coach, and Franklin needs to do a better job getting the team.

Even with these warts, Penn State escaped Ann Arbor with a win for the first time since 2009 and for the first time in the James Franklin era. In a season where they looked like maybe they would not win a game, to clear that hurdle says a lot about the kids not quitting and believing in what Franklin is selling them. A win is a win, especially in 2020, especially when it comes against rival Michigan and Jim Harbaugh, it is up to this young team to build on it now.

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