Wolverines outclaw Lions, 31-27

By GEOFF DODD
Collegian Staff Writer

Two years ago, Michigan came into a rain-soaked, blustery Beaver Stadium and mauled Penn State, 34-8.

Saturday, Michigan returned to Happy Valley with the same thing in mind.

Although the skies were sunnier, Penn State supposedly was better and Michigan supposedly was worse than in 1997, the Wolverines still left Happy Valley with a win, this time by a 31-27 count.

"We talked all week about winning this one for the seniors and for Jerry (Sandusky)," Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno said. "There was a lot of emotion, but it takes more than that to get you ready to play. But yeah, you feel bad for them."

Unlike two years ago, Saturday's game was decided in the fourth quarter by two come-from-behind Wolverines touchdowns by quarterback Tom Brady.

The Lions had a chance to pull it out with a minute left in the game, but quarterback Kevin Thompson had the ball knocked loose at the Michigan 38-yard line by Wolverines linebacker Ian Gold.

Brady's first touchdown in the fourth came from a five-yard quarterback keeper up the middle. On the next Michigan drive, Brady lofted a pass near the Penn State student section, into the left corner of the south end zone, easing it into the outstretched hands of wideout Marcus Knight.

The Wolverines had more yards passing, more yards receiving and probably the most telltale statistic — more yards rushing than the Lions. In fact, Michigan held Penn State to seven yards on the ground, the lowest in the 34-year Paterno era.

And not surprisingly, the Wolverines had a higher number in the statistic that counts the most — points on the scoreboard.

"I told them regardless of how this game went, if they got a lead on us, we had to maintain our composure and eventually we'd find a way to win," Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr said.

Michigan jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, courtesy of two Penn State fumbles on its first two possessions. Thompson took the game's third snap from the Lions 25-yard line and promptly dropped it into the hands of Gold.

Although the Penn State defense allowed just a field goal on that stand, it wasn't so lucky the next time.

On the Lions' subsequent possession, normally sure-handed tailback Eric McCoo fumbled on Michigan's 44 after getting rocked by Wolverines free safety Cato June.

"He made a great tackle, put his head on the ball and the ball popped loose." McCoo said. "It was a turnover. We had a couple that game."

Eight plays later, Anthony Thomas rumbled in from two yards out for Michigan's first touchdown and Penn State's first 10-0 deficit of the year.

Thomas finished the day as the game's top rusher, with 127 yards on 34 carries.

The Lions walked into the locker room at halftime with a lowly 94 yards but just a three-point deficit, as senior punt returner Bruce Branch did his job and rumbled 71 yards for a Penn State record-tying second touchdown in a season and third of his career.

"I saw an opening to the left, and I saw some great blocks," Branch said.

Branch now shares those records with former Lions standout and Miami Dolphins wide receiver O.J. McDuffie. Another Dolphin, former wide receiver Jimmy Cefalo, also shares the season record.

Senior defensive end Courtney Brown opened up the Lions second half with a sack of Brady. Unfortunately for Penn State, the quarterback recovered quickly and ripped a strike across the middle to split end David Terrell for a 26-yard gain and a reversal of fortune for Michigan - it opened up yet another 10-point lead three minutes later on a 35-yard Brady-to-Marcus Knight connection across the middle.

Penn State, however, had a connection of its own, as in the Thompson to Eddie Drummond long distance plan. The two hooked up with two minutes left in the quarter on a 38-yard loft to the back of the south end zone to tie the game.

"We've got to get together and see if we can end the season on a win against a good Michigan State team," Paterno said. "10-2's not too bad."

For a national championship, or even possibly a Rose Bowl bid, however, it just might be.