Penn State vs. Michigan final score: Nittany Lions hold off Wolverines' furious comeback bid

Zac Al-Khateeb

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Penn State vs. Michigan final score: Nittany Lions hold off Wolverines' furious comeback bid image

It wasn't the blowout it was shaping up to be, but No. 7 Penn State still scored a monumental win over visiting, 16th-ranked Michigan on Saturday, 28-21.

Penn State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) led 21-0 at one point before allowing the Wolverines back in the game in the second half. Michigan (5-2, 3-2) even had a chance to tie late in the fourth quarter, but an incomplete pass on fourth-and-goal gave the Nittany Lions the ball — and the win.

MORE: Top-25 highlights, scores from Saturday's games

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford finished the night 14 of 25 through the air for 182 yards and three touchdowns to no interceptions. He also added a rushing touchdown. His favorite target was KJ Hamler, who finished with six receptions for 108 yards and two touchdown catches.

Michigan's Shea Patterson completed 24 of 41 passes for 276 yards and an interception. He, too, had a rushing score. Running back Zach Charbonnet added 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.

Check out the scores and highlights from this hard-fought, pivotal Big Ten East showdown:

Penn State vs. Michigan score

  1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q F
Penn State 7 14 0 7 28
Michigan 0 7 7 7 21

Penn State vs. Michigan scoring plays

Fourth quarter

8:48: Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson 1-yard touchdown run (28-21 Penn State)

13:14: Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford 53-yard touchdown pass to KJ Hamler (28-14 Penn State)

Third quarter

1:05: Michigan running back Zach Charbonet 12-yard touchdown run (21-14 Penn State)

Second quarter

2:55: Michigan running back Zach Charbonnet 12-yard touchdown run (21-7 Penn State)

7:22: Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford 25-yard touchdown pass to KJ Hamler (21-0 Penn State)

14:56: Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford 2-yard touchdown run (14-0 Penn State)

First quarter

5:59: Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford 17-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth (7-0 Penn State)

Penn State vs. Michigan updates, highlights

(All times Eastern)

Final: Penn State 28, Michigan 21

11:20 p.m.: Final stats:

Total yards: Michigan 417, Penn State 283
First downs: Michigan 25, Penn State 14
Third down conversion: Michigan 7 of 17 (2 of 4), Penn State 4 of 13
Passing yards: Michigan 276, Penn State 182
Rushing yards: Michigan 141, Penn State 101
Penalties: Penn State 5 for 58, Michigan 8 for 48
Turnovers: Penn State 0, Michigan 1
Possession: Michigan 37:35, Penn State 22:15

11:10 p.m.: Three kneeldowns later, the Nittany Lions come away with a hard-fought win over the Wolverines, 28-21.

11:07 p.m.: Michigan challenged the spot on that last run by Hamler — might as well, considering it didn't have enough timeouts to get the ball back — but the call was confirmed.

11:06 p.m.: Also, Hamler was injured on that play. Assuming his day is over, he finishes with six receptions for 108 yards and two scores, plus three rushes for 7 yards.

11:04 p.m.: Hamler goes in motion, cuts back and takes the handoff from Clifford before taking it 4 yards for a first down. That might do it here.

11:03 p.m.: Cain with a 2-yard run out to the 10. Michigan takes another timeout with Penn State facing third-and-3 with 1:51 remaining.

11:01 p.m.: Noah Cain with a 5-yard gain on first down. Michigan calls timeout.

10:58 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS, MICHIGAN. Disaster for Michigan; Patterson stands tall in the pocket and hits Ronnie Bell in his gut for a would-be touchdown, but he can't handle it. Penn State now has the ball at its own 3, and Michigan needs a stop just to have a shot to send this one to overtime.

10:57 p.m.: Decision time. It's fourth-and-goal with 2:07 remaining, but Michigan has three timeouts. Go for the tie from the 3 or get the field goal and trust your defense?

10:56 p.m.: Tight end Erick All slips underneath the Penn State coverage for a 10-yard reception inside the Nittany Lions 5-yard line. First-and-goal upcoming.

10:53 p.m.: It's getting interesting in Beaver Stadium. Michigan goes for it on fourth-and-4 at the Penn State 27 and converts with a 6-yard connection to Collins. The Wolverines are still driving inside the red zone with less than five minutes remaining.

10:47 p.m.: That's a three-and-out for Penn State. Michigan has the ball with 6:54 remaining.

10:45 p.m.: Penn State is going backward, facing third-and-20 after losses of 4 and 6 yards (the latter a sack). Don Brown's defense is a lot more aggressive right now.

10:38 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, MICHIGAN. Patterson is credited with the 1-yard gain off the QB sneak. Officials took their time with the call, but it's hard to tell. Either way, certainly not enough conclusive evidence to overturn the play. It's 28-21 Penn State.

10:37 p.m.: The play is reversed. Game-changing play coming up.

10:35 p.m.: Officials ruled Haskins got a 2-yard touchdown on that play, but the play is under review. It's close, but it looks like Haskins was down just shy of the goal line, which would bring up fourth-and-goal.

10:33 p.m.: Great play on third down there; Patterson hits Ronnie Bell out wide, he makes a Penn State defender miss and he takes it 35 yards down to the Nittany Lions Penn State 6.

10:30 p.m.: Michigan starts the next drive with passes of 13 and 15 yards. Wolverines are already across the 50.

10:25 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, PENN STATE. The Nittany Lions take advantage of the opportunity given to them with another touchdown. Clifford hit a wide-open Hamler for the 53-yard strike. That makes it 28-14 Penn State.

10:22 p.m.: Penn State avoids its third straight three-and-out thanks to a gift from Michigan: defensive holding.

Third quarter: Penn State 21, Michigan 14

10:19 p.m.: Also: Michigan out-gained Penn State 129-16 in the third quarter.

10:18 p.m.: And Michigan closes the third quarter with a tackle-for-loss on Clifford, courtesy of DJ Turner. Nittany Lions still lead, but Michigan's got the momentum heading into the fourth.

10:15 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, MICHIGAN. And the Wolverines are right back in it with another 12-yard run by Charbonnet! That caps an eight-play, 65-yard drive that took 3:10 off the clock and cuts it to 21-14 Penn State.

10:13 p.m.: Michigan now inside Penn State's 20 with 11- and 9-yard gains to Eubanks and Collins, followed by a 10-yard run by Charbonnet. But now Penn State's Shaka Toney is down on the field.

10:09 p.m.: Charbonnet with some nice hard running gets the ball to Michigan's 49 on a 14-yard gain.

10:07 p.m.: Offensive potency has slowed to a crawl in the third quarter. Penn State has a three-and-out after Clifford missed Freiermuth in the zone for a sure first down. Michigan will take over at its 35.

10:02 p.m.: Curious call there — Michigan tries to go for the run with Charbonnet on third-and-4, despite Penn State selling out to stop the run. Penn State will punt at the 50.

10 p.m.: Michigan nearing midfield with some nice chunk plays, the last a 12-yard pass to Bell.

9:55 p.m.: Penn State tries for the long ball to Hamler, but Michigan defenders are on hand to knock the ball harmlessly to the ground. Penn State's ensuing punt, however, pins Michigan at its 10.

9:49 p.m.: Penn State's blitz scheme finds its mark. Safety Garrett Taylor blitzes off the edge on third-and-6 and hits Patterson for a loss. Nittany Lions take over after the punt.

9:47 p.m.: Patterson nearly hits Ronnie Bill for a big gain on third down, but he can't haul it in. Penn State is hit with pass interference, though, giving Michigan a new set of downs at its 37.

9:43 p.m.: Michigan holds after giving up some big plays — Penn State punts at Michigan 43, and the Wolverines take over.

9:41 p.m.: Nice run by Noah Cain goes for 13 yards to the Michigan 42.

9:39 p.m.: KJ Hamler takes the opening kickoff to the house, but Penn State is called for holding. Sideline interference by the Nittany Lions will take it even further back. So Penn State will open at its 45.

Halftime: Penn State 21, Michigan 7

9:17 p.m.: Halftime stats:

Total yards: Penn State 203, Michigan 187
First downs: Michigan 11, Penn State 8
Third down conversion: Michigan 4 of 9 (0 of 1), Penn State 2 of 6
Passing yards: Michigan 122, Penn State 115
Rushing yards: Penn State 88, Michigan 65
Penalties: Penn State 2 for 30, Michigan 6 for 23
Turnovers: Penn State 0, Michigan 1
Possession: Michigan 19:09, Penn State 10:51

9:16 p.m.: Penn State can't mount much of a drive and punts. Michigan takes over at its 6-yard line and that does it for the half.

9:13 p.m.: MISSED FIELD GOAL, MICHIGAN. No attempt to trick Penn State; Michigan attempted the 58-yarder, but Jake Moody's attempt fell short in the end zone. Looked good, otherwise.

9:12 p.m.: Michigan can't convert on third-and-6 from the Penn State 41, and Harbaugh sends out the field goal unit before timeout is taken. That'd be a 58-yarder.

9:09 p.m.: Patterson hits Peoples-Jones for a 19-yard gain out to Penn State's 45.

9:07 p.m.: And Michigan's defense forces a three-and-out! Wolverines will get the ball at its 36 with roughly 1:56 remaining in the half and two timeouts.

9:06 p.m.: Penn State takes over with 2:55 remaining and three timeouts. Prime situation for a two-minute drill.

9:01 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, MICHIGAN. Wolverines aren't going away. Charbonnet goes off right tackle for the 12-yard touchdown. Nice score for Michigan with 2:55 left in the half. Its 21-7 Penn State.

9 p.m.: An amazing Michigan touchdown is wiped off the board after Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz is caught 5 yards downfield. Defensive pass interference on the next play gives Michigan a first down at the 12.

8:57 p.m.: Some nice runs by Hassan Haskins and Charbonnet net Michigan a first down inside Penn State's 35. Good sign for a team that has struggled moving the ball on the ground thus far.

8:54 p.m.: Nico Collins with another big gainer, a 30-yard catch-and-run to Penn State's 44. Followed by Michigan's third illegal procedure penalty of the game. Wolverines need a score here before halftime.

8:49 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, PENN STATE. And Penn State has blown this one wide open. Clifford hits KJ Hamler for a 25-yard touchdown. Clifford is 8 of 12 through the air for 108 yards and two touchdowns. It's 21-0 Penn State.

8:45 p.m.: INTERCEPTION, MICHIGAN. Patterson with a costly turnover there. He attempts to hit Jordan Castleberry on the slip screen, but Penn State's Tariq Castro-Fields jumps it in the backfield for the interception. Penn State now has the ball at midfield.

8:42 p.m.: Michigan avoids the three-and-out with a nice connection between Patterson and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Wolverines get another set of downs after the third-down conversion, driving at the 40.

8:37 p.m.: Solid defensive series for Michigan, which forces a much-needed three-and-out against Penn State.

8:34 p.m.: Penn State pass-rush flushes Patterson, and Micah Parsons cleans up for a tackle on Patterson for no gain. Michigan punts, and Penn State takes over at its 29.

8:33 p.m.: Patterson tackled for a loss on the zone-read on Michigan's opening offensive play of the quarter. Need to get something going here if you're Michigan.

8:28 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, PENN STATE. And Penn State goes up 14-0 on the first play of the second quarter. Clifford fakes the pitch and takes it 2 yards up the gut for the touchdown. It's 14-0 Penn State.

First quarter: Penn State 7, Michigan 0

8:21 p.m.: And now Clifford with the designed run! He gets 11 down to Michigan's 8-yard line. One play later ends the quarter, and the Nittany Lions have 135 total yards a quarter through this game.

8:20 p.m.: And Penn State takes advantage! Ricky Slade bursts through the middle for a 44-yard gain to Michigan's 20-yard line.

8:18 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS, MICHIGAN.Michigan goes for at on fourth-and-3 at Penn State's 36, but fails to convert. Jim Harbaugh and Co. want pass interference, but Penn State will get the ball back.

8:16 p.m.: Michigan with some nice chunk plays to get into Penn State territory. Three runs by Patterson and Zach Charbonnet net 27 yards.

8:13 p.m.: Patterson with another nice throw on third down, hitting tight end Nick Eubanks for a 19-yard gain. Wolverines driving with a new set of downs at the 33.

8:07 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, PENN STATE. One play later, Penn State gets on the board first with a 17-yard touchdown connection between Clifford and Pat Freiermuth (although it looked like pass interference). Regardless, it's 7-0 Penn State.

8:06 p.m.: Penn State scores its first big play of the game, a 37-yard reception by Jahan Dotson. Penn State driving at the Michigan 17.

8:04 p.m.: A nice throw by Shea Patterson on the previous drive that just didn't connect.

8 p.m.: Michigan hit with its second illegal procedure penalty and tries for the draw play on third-and-14 (it didn't go anywhere). Some good coverage on the ensuing punt, however, gives Penn State the ball at its 34.

7:56 p.m.: Sean Clifford hits KJ Hamler on the crossing route, but Michigan stops it for no gain. Michigan to take over at its 15 after the punt.

7:55 p.m.: Penn State running back Journey Brown opens for an 11-yard run to the 31. Nittany Lions on the move.

7:50 p.m.: Michigan fails to convert on fourth-and-1 just inside Penn State territory, and elects to punt. The Nittany Lions take over at their 20 after the touchback.

7:48 p.m.: Shea Patterson withstands the pressure on third-and-8 to hit Nico Collins for a first down. Wolverines now driving at their 45 after the 18-yard gain.

7:46 p.m.: Aaaand Michigan starts off the game with a timeout to avoid the false start. Not ideal.

7:45 p.m.: And Michigan has the ball first. Can the Wolverines get on the board?

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.