Michigan football: 3 takeaways from Wolverines assault of Penn State

The first half was not as close as the score indicated and Michigan football busted it wide open in the second for a straightforward romping of Penn State.

The Wolverines’ offense saw the field first and Jake Moody made a short field goal to take the early lead. On their second drive, they did the same thing and were up 6-0 after one-quarter of play. In the second, things heated up quite a bit. Michigan football was controlling the flow and finally put it in the end zone to go up by two scores.

Penn State came back on their next possession needing points and they got them. Sean Clifford faked a handoff and nearly went the distance for a touchdown gallop.

They eventually found paydirt on fourth and goal to get within six. A couple of plays later Curtis Jacobs nabbed a tipped pass in the air from J.J. McCarthy and took it all the way to the house giving the Nittany Lions a one-point edge.

Down at the half, Penn State took the opening series of the third and connected for three. Michigan football responded by ripping off an electric 67-yard touchdown run by Donovan Edwards to regain the lead for the Wolverines. Not to be outdone though Blake Corum went 61 yards on their next offensive touch of the football, following a turnover on downs. It was 31-17 Michigan in the blink of an eye.

In the fourth Michigan completely wore down and wore out a tired Penn State defense. It turned out to be a thorough beatdown in all aspects against a top-10 school.

Michigan now will rest up and get healthy before they host Michigan State, with revenge weighing heavily on their minds from last season’s fluke loss.

Here are the three takeaways.

1. The rushing attack trampled through Penn State’s defense

It was reminiscent of a performance just like last November in the win over Ohio State. Plain and simple, that’s a pure Jim Harbaugh-coached football team win. 418 powerful yards on the ground. The offensive line dictated how things went and gelled like the sweet taste of peanut butter and chocolate.

Blake Corum had another marvelous effort. He’s firmly cemented himself into the Heisman race and had a moment on his 61-yard touchdown gash. He totaled 166 yards and cashed in on two more scores, rising his mark to 13 for the year. Hassan Haskins holds the single-season record, but that is in serious jeopardy of being broken just a year later.

Donovan Edwards earned a new career-high for himself as well. 173 yards and two trips to the house for his efforts. J.J. McCarthy broke the 50-yard barrier and C.J. Stokes almost broke one at the end that would have padded his stats for sure. Penn State’s defense was utterly violated by Michigan’s intense offensive line who ruled the day.