Michigan Football: 3 Takeaways from a pathetic loss to Penn State

Another porous showing by a Michigan football team in a putrid home defeat to a  previously winless Penn State program coming in and here are the takeaways.

Penn State came out like their hair was on fire and kept that going all game long. The Nittany Lions played like they had something to earn, even though they were 0-5. For a moment it seemed as though the Michigan football team would match that intensity, but it didn’t turn out that way after tying it up at seven a piece in the first quarter, Penn State cruised past a soft defense all while not having to do that much through the air.

A muffed punt by Mike Sainristil, who filled in for Giles Jackson, late in the second proved to be the proverbial nail in the coffin for any come from behind chances afterwards.

The Nittany Lions took advantage with a field goal to head into the locker room with a 17-7 lead. They never trailed at any second on the afternoon.

In the second half, Michigan football got as close as three, but their defense let them down with more of the same that has plagued them in 2020.

Penn State mounted a 12 play, 75-yard drive that amassed five minutes for the final score of the outing. Michigan eventually turned it over on downs by not converting on a quarterback sneak with a 6’5” 240 pound signal caller who lost his job because he wasn’t getting the job done and did just that again on the play.

Michigan’s defense was soundly beaten in all the important facets of the matchup. Penn State gained over 400 total yards of offense and recorded 25 first downs to Michigan’s 14.

The time of possession was clearly on their side as well. The only significant outcome for the Wolverines was that they outrushed the Lions on yards per rush 6.4 to 5.1.

It was another pathetic performance and here are three takeaways.