Game balls from Michigan football's 41-17 win over Penn State
Michigan football sent a dominant and emphatic message to the nation in a 41-17 win over Penn State on Saturday afternoon in a matchup of the fifth- and 10th-ranked teams in the country, respectively. There were a few plays in the first half that prevented the score from being even more lopsided than it was.
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• Postgame reactions to Michigan’s dominant win over Penn State
Anthony Broome, Clayton Sayfie and Chris Balas select a player each week for Michigan after the game concludes. Here are the players that get the biggest nod from our staff following a Week 7 victory over the visiting Nittany Lions.
Chris Balas: Junior RB Blake Corum and sophomore RB Donovan Edwards
It was a banner day for Michigan football’s rushing attack, who were not even remotely afraid of Penn State’s fifth-ranked run defense (78.6 yards per game allowed). The Wolverines gashed Penn State for 423 sack-adjusted yards on the ground. Donovan Edwards led the way with 16 carries for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Blake Corum had 28 rushes for 168 yards and a pair of scores. One of Edwards’ touchdowns came via a 67-yard scamper, while Corum had one of 61 yards. Fans are still waiting to see the passing game expand, but there is little need in a game like this when the backs are running wild.
Clayton Sayfie: Michigan’s offensive line
The success of the men above has to do with the performance of the men singled out here. Michigan’s offensive line plowed the Nittany Lions all afternoon and proved they could do it against a quality opponent. This is a unit playing as together as any in college football right now and helping set Michigan’s offensive identity. When they play that well, U-M is able to dictate how a game goes on its own terms. This was a banner performance for the reigning Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line.
Anthony Broome: Graduate kicker Jake Moody
A kicker? Seriously? Absolutely. Jake Moody hit all 4 of his field goal attempts (29, 24, 23, 37), the first three of which came in the first half. Michigan’s red zone offense needs a lot of work, but it is easy to swallow when there is a reliable kicker and a Lou Groza Award winner on the sidelines. Any one of those kicks going badly in the first half, and it might be a totally different football game.
But his play of the game came on a special teams tackle to start the second half. Moody got down the field on kick coverage and stopped a play that had a chance to go the distance if he didn’t get there. With Michigan leading 16-14 at the time and Penn State getting first crack at the football, it cannot be overstated how critical a moment that was. Another feather in the cap of the special teams unit.
Michigan football honorable mentions
Graduate wide receiver Ronnie Bell: It was hardly a gaudy performance (5 catches, 39 yards), but he made the plays that were needed and continues to be the heartbeat of the U-M passing game.
Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy: Few people are going to go crazy over 17-for-24 passing for 145 yards and an interception, but McCarthy still adds another dimension at quarterback. His ability to make plays on the run continues to impress. The interception was an odd play, but there were still some missed throws. There are things to clean up heading into the bye, but he was able to pass another test.
Senior EDGE Mike Morris: This was another defensive performance that went down as a team effort, but Morris is the heart and soul of that unit. He finished the day with 4 total tackles (1 for loss), a pass defended and a quarterback hit.
