Special Teams
Grade: C-
Nick Singleton looked a little shaky at times fielding kickoff returns, but Michigan may deserve credit for placing the kickoffs in uncomfortable spots for a freshman returner. Penn State special teams can’t be knocked for not having any punt return yardage, but that’s because Michigan never punted in the game.
Penn State punter [autotag]Barney Amor[/autotag], who has been one of the most consistent punters in the Big Ten, got three opportunities to punt and he averaged 43 yards per punt with one 50-yarder and one pinned inside the 20-yard line.
Penn State kicker Gabe Nwosu kicked a ball out of bounds late in the second quarter after Penn State had surprisingly taken the lead with a defensive touchdown. The penalty gave Michigan the football at the 35-yard line on a drive that would result in a late field goal to retake the lead just before halftime.
All in all, this was a forgettable game all across the board. A loss like this gives James Franklin and his staff plenty to think about and work on before their next game, at home next weekend against Minnesota. It doesn’t necessarily have to be back to the drawing board, but it’s been a while since Penn State looked confident, if not competant.
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