ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- While Michigan kneeled its way to victory, Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli verbally sparred with some Michigan fans who were heckling from the front rows.
All the frustration had finally bubbled over.
Penn State's offense looked woefully inept all afternoon in Saturday's loss to Michigan. The Nittany Lions didn't score a touchdown, their passing game never really picked up and the rushing game stalled.
"Things didn't go our way today," Morelli said after the game.
The Lions didn't attack Michigan with a spread or pass-happy offense, which is how Appalachian State and Oregon defeated the Wolverines earlier this season.
Appalachian State's quarterback Armanti Edwards threatened the Michigan defense with his legs, rushing for 78 yards in addition to running back Kevin Richardson, who had 90. And Oregon finished with 624 yards of total offense.
"It's not really a whole bunch of movement," Michigan strong safety Jamar Adams said of the Penn State offense. "You don't have too much indecision when you're playing a conventional offense. You're able to know what you're doing and go out there and play."
Penn State stayed with the conservatively scripted opening set and had no real explanation for why.
"You play the game," Joe Paterno said. "You don't go in with the idea you're going to throw the ball 100 times or 40 times."
The Lions finished with 270 yards of total offense and couldn't capitalize when they put together a drive.
Asked if he thought the play calling was too conservative, Morelli said, "Nah, I go out and run the plays. Coaches call the plays, you have to talk to them about that."
The four times the Lions reached the red zone, they suddenly slowed as if in quicksand. They were forced to kick three field goals. The other time they reached the red zone, the Lions turned the ball over on an Austin Scott fumble.
Morelli, who was 15 of 31 for 169 yards, was blitzed by two Michigan defenders who crashed in from the corners on the first play of the Lions' second drive. Morelli coughed up the ball, losing the fumble and giving the Wolverines a first down on the Penn State 10.
They scored two plays later.
"The game is about turnovers, penalties and negative plays," said wide receiver Derrick Williams, who had three catches for 26 yards. "And we had all of those."
All told, Penn State only converted 5-of-15 third downs and had four three-and-out series. The Lions had converted 66 percent of their third downs prior to the Michigan game.
"We had opportunities to win, and we didn't do it," Paterno said. "And in a tough ball game, particularly on the road, you can't do that."
