ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan dominated Penn State on Saturday in every facet. The Wolverines remained unbeaten and sent Penn State packing after a 41-17 win.
But, the outcome looked shaky, in the score column, after the first half. The Wolverines entered halftime with a 16-14 lead after Michigan scored three field goals in the red zone. If you looked at the stats, you would assume Michigan was dominating the scoreboard after having 18 first downs compared to just one for Penn State.
It seemed that, even though the Nittany Lions were getting demolished on the field, Penn State entered halftime with some swagger. Wolverines Wire writer Isaiah Hole captured a video of both teams exchanging heated words in the tunnel entering the locker rooms. So who started it?
J.J. McCarthy said he was late seeing what happened, but he believes Penn State started the altercation with how emotional it was all game. McCarthy bluntly said Penn State may have started that, but Michigan finished it on the field.
“I was late to it I didn’t really see what went on,” said McCarthy. “But just from how they were acting emotionally out there and going into the half and how they were emotionally all game. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was them starting that. We just finished it.”
Edge rusher Mike Morris said its been an issue with Penn State all week. He said that the Nittany Lions have been talking on Twitter and saying how they would win on Saturday, but Morris said Michigan did its talking on the field.
“Man, they started talking, the whole week, they’ve been Twitter fingers, talking to us on social media,” said Morris. “one of our guys went live and they told him OK, we’re gonna see you there. And we all told each other, they want to have their Twitter fingers. They want to talk on social media. OK. And then they didn’t talk on the field. So they want to talk at halftime because they got lucky. But, yeah, that’s it.”
If Penn State was the side who started the altercation in the tunnel, it’s clear it did all of its talking in the tunnel or even through the week — instead of on the field. Other than two big plays, one being a fluky pick six, the Nittany Lions couldn’t stop Michigan on offense or defense.
McCarthy said coach Harbaugh told the team after the game it was a butt kicking. McCarthy said Michigan protects its house, and it was awesome to see the Wolverines win the way they did.
“Sure,” said McCarthy. “I feel like coach Harbaugh said in the locker room is ‘it’s a butt kicking every which way butt can be kicked.’ And this was in our house and we take pride in that. We protect our house so just being able to do it in the fashion that we did was just awesome to see. Obviously, the first half we wish it went a little different way scoreboard wise but they only had one first down we had 18 So we’ll take that.”
Michigan will host Michigan State in two weeks in the Big House.
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