Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from Penn State heartbreaker
By Nick Popio
In a survival of the fittest litmus test Michigan football came up just short but displayed the heart and fight needed for the rest of the season.
From the first snap of the game, it looked like the same Michigan football team that everyone saw in Wisconsin a few weeks ago. A delay of game penalty in a hostile environment all but spelled doom for the offense. It continued to play out that way until late in the second quarter when the Wolverines finally got on the board and suddenly things changed.
Michigan football gained the momentum and were able to make the crowd a non-factor. They got within one score at the end of three and had the Penn State offense completely stifled. Then they made the biggest mistake of the night by letting K.J. Hamler loose. Josh Gattis‘ offense responded, leaving the maize and blue down a touchdown.
The defense did its job giving the offense one more shot. Then with roughly two minutes left a play that will be remembered in this rivalry for a long time happened. Ronnie Bell was open in the endzone and dropped a sure touchdown that ended Michigan’s chances to tie or win the game. It was a moment that no Michigan loyalist will forget wants to recall, but knows it will linger forever when stories are told about this matchup in the years to come.
Props to Zach Charbonnet for playing like a veteran.
— Adam Ghabour (@Qb9Adam) October 20, 2019
Props to Shea Patterson for never quitting.
Props to Ronnie Bell for having heart.
Props to the OL for balling in hostile territory.
And props to the defense for competing as best they could.
Jim Harbaugh‘s crew earned a morale victory on Saturday primetime. That doesn’t mean much, but it’s better then the outcome some thought would happen on the road with a top ten opponent. It now must regroup furiously for another top ten Notre Dame club that wants to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in the Big House.