Gardner, you had one job. YOU HAD ONE JOB.
Penn State 43 - Michigan [18] 40 4OT
Oh, this game started out bad. Going three-and-out in the first series is never good. Things were looking up when their freshman QB (Hackenberg) threw an interception first--beating Gardner. But, Gardner had to show he could do it, too. That put Penn State in great field position and they scored. 0-7. We came back and made three good places, including a long throw to Funchess and scored back. 7-7.
The next few series were highlights of mistakes on both sides, although the ball tended to stay on the Penn State side. Our defense seemed to hold Penn State's offense, but their defense was good enough to hold our offense off. So, Gardner had to find a new way to fuck up: he dropped the ball, then the center dropped the ball. After six games, you kind of expect that handoff to be down pat. Fortunately, after that, we were still in field goal range and we made one. 10-7.
Penn State has the ball again and starts making a little progress as the quarter ends. But they can't make anything of it and kick it back to us. We start going and Garnder throws another interception! His mistakes are not over yet.
Bleah.
(
citabria says, "Are we sure he can see the opposing defender? Like, has he had his eyes checked?" Dad says, "Garnder is confused--our guys are wearing white jerseys this time. Penn State has the blue jerseys.")
Penn State scores easily at it's now 10-14. We get the ball back and we can't do anything with it. Penn State gets the ball again, Hackenberg is looking a little more confident and connects short passes. We seem to have stopped their running game a bit. But Hackenberg's passes are fairly competent. Bizzarely, Michigan is putting only three people on the offensive line so there's no chance for blitzing. So, Hackenberg has all the time he needs and connects one in the end zone finally. 10-21.
Our ball again. But, Penn State has shut down the run and any inside play. We managed to get one first down, then gets a second on a Penn State holding penalty, then tries for a third and...FUMBLE! Fortunately, Penn State can't do anything with the fumble and punts back to Michigan who plays with themsevles for a bit and can't do anything with it, so they punt back to Penn State at the end of the half and they mercifully take a knee.
Half is over 10-21.
Okay, after the half, Penn State receives and in their first play, they FUMBLE! And we run it back for a touchdown, making it 17-21. Wow! Okay, that was a morale booster that we needed. Penn State gets the ball again and they can't do anything with it: three and out. It looks like our defense was talked to at the half because they are certainly stepping up here.
We get the ball and now it's time to see whether or not our offense has straightened out. Gardner runs the first play on the ground--he's actually been doing okay rushing--and the second play is good but, then, Kalis gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct, placing us way back and we have to punt. Guess their defense is on the ball, too. Penn State gets the ball again and we seem to be pressuring their offense well. Sure enough, Hackenberg throws an interception!
Okay, we've got the ball and make a few sharp plays to get within ten yards. But--but--we can't quite make it into the endzone. Funchess dropped what looked to me like a catchable ball. So, we settle for three. 20-21.
Penn State gets the ball back and this time they are on fire. (I guess being up by only one point will do that.) A lot of short passes and short runs and they are within field goal range. Then, Penn State screwed up the offensive protection and Hackenberg is sacked. They lose their field goal position and try a short pass to get back into range for a field goal and...they make it. 20-24.
Our turn. The first play Gardner finally connects a great play with Gallon--who hasn't been seen much in this game, so far. We get to midfield and struggle to get farther. We get one first down from a pass interference call. We get the next on a Gardner rush, and then one more.
(One bad side note: our best offensive lineman--Lewan--is out for the game. He was shaken up near the end of the first half but it was finally confirmed that he was out. Our Michigan offensive line is...is...just not as good as it should be. Garnder can make it happen but the usual backs can't find a hole.)
Finally, Gardner throws it to Gallon and makes it! That was a great series, with a little help from the pass interference call, and we went ahead again, 27-24. Penn State gets it back as the quarter ends.
Penn State is doing well in this series, although when we remember to blitz, we succeed. Penn State fights and makes short passes and gets a few defensive penalties (Boo, us) and makes it into field goal territory. Hackenberg tries a few long passes and does not succeed. (He tends to overthrow on long passes.) So, they try a field goal and...MISS. We're still in the lead: 27-24.
We get the ball back and, this time, we're on fire. Gardner finds Dileo and Gallon and makes a few short rushes. But, then, Gardner unloads to Funchess! Touchdown! 34-24 is the score and now we've got to hold it.
Penn State gets it back and has some trouble but makes it back close to field goal range. But our defense brings the pressure and makes a few key plays, forcing them to kick. And...they make this one. 34-27.
Okay, six and a half minutes and we've got no choice but to try and score again to get back our buffer. Norfleet has a good return, putting us on our 35. That means Touissaint to run the clock down. He hasn't been too effective in rushing yet but there's a few good rushes at first. Unfortunately, our offensive line sucks. But, we get a few series and get within field goal range. One field goal wraps the game up.
But, no, we have Garnder as QB and he screws up and gets a DELAY OF GAME PENALTY, which moves us back out of field goal range and we can't get back in on the last down.
How does that meme go? YOU HAD ONE JOB. YOU. HAD. ONE. JOB.
So, Penn State gets the ball and there's only seven points of difference. Still, we had been stopping Hackenberg. But...not this time. Hackenberg finds two spectacular long passes from somewhere ending up on the 1/2 yard line. A quarterback sneak and an easy kick makes it 34-34. With only 27 seconds left.
Michigan will get the ball and there's some time but all the timeouts are gone. Norfleet runs it back and there are 21 seconds left. But we only got to our 35 yard line. Gardner connects to Gallon to their 40 and leaves 13 seconds, one spike makes it 12 seconds. One more short pass gets it to the 35 yard line, just at field goal range. Seven seconds....can we do it? It's at the edge of our kicker's range. We line up and...and...NO! It was short. Penn State spikes the ball and we go to OT.
Michigan plays defense on the first OT round. Penn State tries to do something but Hackenberg is sacked three times and their field goal kicker misses. Michigan gets the ball and tries to run it a little but it lands to Gibbons to kick it...and it's BLOCKED!
Michigan plays offense first on the second OT round. A short run, then a good pass to Gallon gives us a first down inside the fifteen. Gardner gets sacked and loses three, then throws to Butt and has it batted away, then Gardner runs but doesn't get enough for a first down. Gibbons is called in again...and makes it this time. 37-34. But Penn State has their chance. Penn State does a short run, a nothing run, and an incomplete pass. Their kicker (Ficken) makes their field goal, though. 37-37.
On to the third OT...Hackenberg fumbles! That's it. We get the ball back, get about ten yards and Gibbons lines up for an easy kick...and he pulls it left and MISSES!
AUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGH!
Michigan plays offense first on the fourth OT round. One thrown away pass, one incomplete pass, another FUCKING DELAY OF GAME PENALTY, and a busted play that Garnder managed to pull into a seven yard run, leaving it up to Gibbons again. So, Gibbons, what you got? He makes it! 40-37. Penn State offense now. A short run, a potentially great run that was messed up by the back slipping and falling, but they break through and get the first down. An incomplete pass, a short run, another incomplete pass but a PASS INTERFERENCE penalty that puts the ball at the two yard line and gives them another first down.
It's an easy run in. Touchdown Penn State. 40-43. The Penn State crowd storms the field.
Michigan can't play the way they played the first half and expect to win. No matter how much we try to make it back in the second half--and we did--we're not going to be a winner this way.
But, really, the key mistake (and there were many--on both sides) was pulling the delay of game penalty in the fourth quarter. That prevented us from making a field goal and sealing the game. Instead, Penn State could tie and we ended up in the overtime death spiral.
Oh, this game started out bad. Going three-and-out in the first series is never good. Things were looking up when their freshman QB (Hackenberg) threw an interception first--beating Gardner. But, Gardner had to show he could do it, too. That put Penn State in great field position and they scored. 0-7. We came back and made three good places, including a long throw to Funchess and scored back. 7-7.
The next few series were highlights of mistakes on both sides, although the ball tended to stay on the Penn State side. Our defense seemed to hold Penn State's offense, but their defense was good enough to hold our offense off. So, Gardner had to find a new way to fuck up: he dropped the ball, then the center dropped the ball. After six games, you kind of expect that handoff to be down pat. Fortunately, after that, we were still in field goal range and we made one. 10-7.
Penn State has the ball again and starts making a little progress as the quarter ends. But they can't make anything of it and kick it back to us. We start going and Garnder throws another interception! His mistakes are not over yet.
Bleah.
(
citabria says, "Are we sure he can see the opposing defender? Like, has he had his eyes checked?" Dad says, "Garnder is confused--our guys are wearing white jerseys this time. Penn State has the blue jerseys.")Penn State scores easily at it's now 10-14. We get the ball back and we can't do anything with it. Penn State gets the ball again, Hackenberg is looking a little more confident and connects short passes. We seem to have stopped their running game a bit. But Hackenberg's passes are fairly competent. Bizzarely, Michigan is putting only three people on the offensive line so there's no chance for blitzing. So, Hackenberg has all the time he needs and connects one in the end zone finally. 10-21.
Our ball again. But, Penn State has shut down the run and any inside play. We managed to get one first down, then gets a second on a Penn State holding penalty, then tries for a third and...FUMBLE! Fortunately, Penn State can't do anything with the fumble and punts back to Michigan who plays with themsevles for a bit and can't do anything with it, so they punt back to Penn State at the end of the half and they mercifully take a knee.
Half is over 10-21.
Okay, after the half, Penn State receives and in their first play, they FUMBLE! And we run it back for a touchdown, making it 17-21. Wow! Okay, that was a morale booster that we needed. Penn State gets the ball again and they can't do anything with it: three and out. It looks like our defense was talked to at the half because they are certainly stepping up here.
We get the ball and now it's time to see whether or not our offense has straightened out. Gardner runs the first play on the ground--he's actually been doing okay rushing--and the second play is good but, then, Kalis gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct, placing us way back and we have to punt. Guess their defense is on the ball, too. Penn State gets the ball again and we seem to be pressuring their offense well. Sure enough, Hackenberg throws an interception!
Okay, we've got the ball and make a few sharp plays to get within ten yards. But--but--we can't quite make it into the endzone. Funchess dropped what looked to me like a catchable ball. So, we settle for three. 20-21.
Penn State gets the ball back and this time they are on fire. (I guess being up by only one point will do that.) A lot of short passes and short runs and they are within field goal range. Then, Penn State screwed up the offensive protection and Hackenberg is sacked. They lose their field goal position and try a short pass to get back into range for a field goal and...they make it. 20-24.
Our turn. The first play Gardner finally connects a great play with Gallon--who hasn't been seen much in this game, so far. We get to midfield and struggle to get farther. We get one first down from a pass interference call. We get the next on a Gardner rush, and then one more.
(One bad side note: our best offensive lineman--Lewan--is out for the game. He was shaken up near the end of the first half but it was finally confirmed that he was out. Our Michigan offensive line is...is...just not as good as it should be. Garnder can make it happen but the usual backs can't find a hole.)
Finally, Gardner throws it to Gallon and makes it! That was a great series, with a little help from the pass interference call, and we went ahead again, 27-24. Penn State gets it back as the quarter ends.
Penn State is doing well in this series, although when we remember to blitz, we succeed. Penn State fights and makes short passes and gets a few defensive penalties (Boo, us) and makes it into field goal territory. Hackenberg tries a few long passes and does not succeed. (He tends to overthrow on long passes.) So, they try a field goal and...MISS. We're still in the lead: 27-24.
We get the ball back and, this time, we're on fire. Gardner finds Dileo and Gallon and makes a few short rushes. But, then, Gardner unloads to Funchess! Touchdown! 34-24 is the score and now we've got to hold it.
Penn State gets it back and has some trouble but makes it back close to field goal range. But our defense brings the pressure and makes a few key plays, forcing them to kick. And...they make this one. 34-27.
Okay, six and a half minutes and we've got no choice but to try and score again to get back our buffer. Norfleet has a good return, putting us on our 35. That means Touissaint to run the clock down. He hasn't been too effective in rushing yet but there's a few good rushes at first. Unfortunately, our offensive line sucks. But, we get a few series and get within field goal range. One field goal wraps the game up.
But, no, we have Garnder as QB and he screws up and gets a DELAY OF GAME PENALTY, which moves us back out of field goal range and we can't get back in on the last down.
How does that meme go? YOU HAD ONE JOB. YOU. HAD. ONE. JOB.
So, Penn State gets the ball and there's only seven points of difference. Still, we had been stopping Hackenberg. But...not this time. Hackenberg finds two spectacular long passes from somewhere ending up on the 1/2 yard line. A quarterback sneak and an easy kick makes it 34-34. With only 27 seconds left.
Michigan will get the ball and there's some time but all the timeouts are gone. Norfleet runs it back and there are 21 seconds left. But we only got to our 35 yard line. Gardner connects to Gallon to their 40 and leaves 13 seconds, one spike makes it 12 seconds. One more short pass gets it to the 35 yard line, just at field goal range. Seven seconds....can we do it? It's at the edge of our kicker's range. We line up and...and...NO! It was short. Penn State spikes the ball and we go to OT.
Michigan plays defense on the first OT round. Penn State tries to do something but Hackenberg is sacked three times and their field goal kicker misses. Michigan gets the ball and tries to run it a little but it lands to Gibbons to kick it...and it's BLOCKED!
Michigan plays offense first on the second OT round. A short run, then a good pass to Gallon gives us a first down inside the fifteen. Gardner gets sacked and loses three, then throws to Butt and has it batted away, then Gardner runs but doesn't get enough for a first down. Gibbons is called in again...and makes it this time. 37-34. But Penn State has their chance. Penn State does a short run, a nothing run, and an incomplete pass. Their kicker (Ficken) makes their field goal, though. 37-37.
On to the third OT...Hackenberg fumbles! That's it. We get the ball back, get about ten yards and Gibbons lines up for an easy kick...and he pulls it left and MISSES!
AUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGH!
Michigan plays offense first on the fourth OT round. One thrown away pass, one incomplete pass, another FUCKING DELAY OF GAME PENALTY, and a busted play that Garnder managed to pull into a seven yard run, leaving it up to Gibbons again. So, Gibbons, what you got? He makes it! 40-37. Penn State offense now. A short run, a potentially great run that was messed up by the back slipping and falling, but they break through and get the first down. An incomplete pass, a short run, another incomplete pass but a PASS INTERFERENCE penalty that puts the ball at the two yard line and gives them another first down.
It's an easy run in. Touchdown Penn State. 40-43. The Penn State crowd storms the field.
Michigan can't play the way they played the first half and expect to win. No matter how much we try to make it back in the second half--and we did--we're not going to be a winner this way.
But, really, the key mistake (and there were many--on both sides) was pulling the delay of game penalty in the fourth quarter. That prevented us from making a field goal and sealing the game. Instead, Penn State could tie and we ended up in the overtime death spiral.