It may have been early in the game, but Penn State head coach James Franklin got an early last laugh on Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. On the opening series of the game, Penn State converted a fake punt with punter Jordan Stout completing a pass to Curtis Jacobs for a gain of 18 yards.
The kicker? Michigan burned a timeout prior to the fake punt because, it is assumed, Harbaugh and the Wolverines saw something suggesting a fake punt was about to be attempted.
Penn State’s opening drive ultimately ended with a 42-yard field goal by Stout just a few plays later for the first points of the game. Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford was sacked a handful of times and had to make a few plays under pressure, an ominous sign as the game got underway for the battle in the trenches for Penn State. But, point son the board is better than no points.
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