ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Wolverines faced another third down late in the fourth quarter when Ryan Mallett's mouthpiece fell out of the bridge of his helmet and landed on Michigan Stadium's artificial turf.
Calm and composed -- like he was most of the game against Penn State -- Mallett reached down, picked it up and called Michigan's next play.
The freshman quarterback then connected with wideout Mario Manningham on a 5-yard pass near midfield, long enough for a first down.
The throw-and-catch became the last of the Wolverines' four third-down conversions in the fourth quarter -- all pass plays -- and the completion forced the Nittany Lions to use their final two timeouts in hopes of gaining one more opportunity to somehow win.
"He doesn't get rattled," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said of Mallett. "What made a difference is that in the fourth quarter he hit some big throws. Under pressure, he's got a knack, he's got an ability, he's got an instinct that he can move up and see down the field."
Mallett, a 6-foot-7, 252-pound 18-year-old from Texarkana, Ark., started his second consecutive game for Michigan in place of the injured Chad Henne.
He completed 16-of-29 passes for 170 yards, including 8 of 10 in the second half.
"He was poised in the pocket," Penn State defensive end Josh Gaines said. "He stepped up big for his team. ... He'll get a lot of respect through the next couple years."
The freshman is subbing for Henne until he returns from a right knee sprain. Henne spent the game on the sideline wearing a headset, listening to the play calls and counseling his replacement between series.
"This is Chad's team," Mallett said. "We're ready for Chad to get back."
In the meantime, Mallett is enjoying himself, especially with Mike Hart taking handoffs.
As the Lions dropped extra defenders near the line in an attempt to stop Hart during the second half, they left open opportunities for Michigan to pass.
Mallett was an efficient 3-for-4 during a lengthy 15-play, 77-yard touchdown drive that put the Wolverines ahead, 14-6, to start the fourth quarter.
"When you get a good run going, you open up the pass. That's basic football," Gaines said. "We didn't do a good enough job in the third, fourth quarter. We gotta step up as a defense. We gotta help our team out."
Mallett clearly appreciated his running back's effort. He let out a fist pump after every almost first down Hart earned late in the fourth quarter.
But when it was his time to pass, Mallett delivered, too, as evidenced by his clutch third down throws.
"He showed a lot of confidence and poise out there," Penn State cornerback Justin King said. "He will be a very good quarterback."
Afterward, Mallett's confidence was as high as Penn State players said it was during the game.
"Let's play again," Mallett said about 30 minutes after the game.
Carr chuckled when told that the freshman spoke those words.
"When you have that kind of an attitude, you're truly blessed," Carr said. "Sometimes, when you're in a competitive situation, you worry. You worry about playing well. That's something you don't have to worry about with Ryan."
