No. 3 Michigan avoids distraction, slips past No. 10 Penn State

Field Level Media|published: Sat 11th November, 15:35 2023

Nov 11, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (82) runs the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. credits: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Corum rushed for 145 yards, scored two touchdowns and helped No. 3 Michigan overcome the absence of head coach Jim Harbaugh to defeat No. 10 Penn State 24-15 on Saturday at University Park, Pa.

Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten on Friday for the remainder of the regular season amid an in-person scouting scandal. Michigan filed for a temporary restraining order but the hearing was delayed until Friday. Assistant Sherrone Moore filled in for Harbaugh.

Donovan Edwards rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown for Michigan (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten), while J.J. McCarthy had only eight passing attempts, all in the first half, and completed seven for 60 yards.

Drew Allar completed 10 of 22 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown for the Nittany Lions (8-2, 5-2). He also rushed for 49 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. Kaytron Allen had 72 yards rushing for the Nittany Lions.

Michigan held a 14-9 lead at halftime.

Alex Felkins' 20-yard field goal late in the first quarter gave Penn State a 3-0 lead.

The Wolverines answered with a 75-yard drive, capped by Corum's 3-yard rush. Edwards had a 22-yard run during the drive.

With 6:07 left in the half, Edwards cut to his right on third down and scored from 22 yards out to make give Michigan a 14-3 lead. Corum had a 44-yard run during the possession.

Penn State drove 75 yards late in the half and converted a pair of fourth downs before Allar scored on an 11-yard run up the middle. Allar then threw an incompletion on a two-point try as the Nittany Lions pulled within 14-9.

James Turner kicked a 22-yard field goal to cap Michigan's first drive of the second half, giving the Wolverines a 17-9 advantage. That came after an Allar fumble.

The Nittany Lions gambled on fourth-and-6 from their own 30 late in the game and it failed on an Allar incompletion. Corum scored on the next play to give the Wolverins a 24-9 lead with 4:15 remaining.

Penn State scored with 1:59 left on Allar's 8-yard pass to Theo Johnson.

—Field Level Media

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