Penn State Snowflakes: The Defense

I'M beyond thrilled. What an effort. 

Wish they didn’t give those 3 4th downs that one drive. Run defense could have been a little tighter, but think they were selling out for Dotson. Great stop when most needed, amazing pass rush. 

Good performance overall, we didn't have any real breakdowns. The frustrating thing is that PSU went to Dotson twice in a row on 4th down on their one TD drive, and we couldn't stop it.

This team had four difficult road games, and won three of them. Not too shabby.

Glorious!

I thought that late fumble was going to be a killer for Michigan. Huge stop by the defense on that.

Kudos! They gave up 1 TD+2FG+2pt conv. That one hurt since 2 of those hurt them 2 weeks ago. As long as Michigan held PSU under 20 pts, we'd win the game. It was good enough.

GO BLUE!!

Don’t think you can be mad at the defense this game. They did their best given the offense was too busy chasing their tail for 3/4s of the game. Holding any talented team to 17 should be a W in 2021 with remotely competent offense. 

"Let's put D. J. solo on Jahan Dotson, I bet that works out fine" said no one ever -- but the dude pulls it off!

7 sacks and a great day even if there were a couple busts. Ojabo, man. Hutch. DJ. 

Mike Macdonald recruitment:

Harbaugh - Hey Mike, how would you feel about becoming the Defensive Coordinator at Michigan?

Macdonald - Sounds intriguing. What kind of salary would I make?

Harbaugh - I think I could get you somewhere around $1 million.

Macdonald - Nice. What kind of players do you have to work with?

Harbaugh - We have All-American level players in Dax Hill and Aidan Hutchinson; lots of other returning experienced talent and young players like David Ojabo dripping with potential. We also have some versatile pieces like Mikey Barrett.  The talent in this… 

Macdonald (sharply cuts off Harbaugh) - Shut up, just shut up. You had me at Mikey Barrett.

Seven sacks!  Wow.

I didn't like how many third and fourth down conversions that we yielded or that we seemingly can't stop the two point conversion.

I did like how the kept us in the game by bringing drives to halt when needed.  I liked the pressure and it would have been more effective if they didn't get away with holding on virtually every play.

They got the four and out when push came to shove.

They never quit.

I've been calling for Moore to play all year, it's clear he knows the game, more than the starters.  

The Defense was everywhere. If Penn State didnt hold over and over the sacks would

have finished Clifford in the 3rd. 

This comment acknowledges Rod Moore whose heads up play caused the timeout, got us off the field then the PBU on Dotson. That's game changing right there. 

I've been calling for Moore to play all year, it's clear he knows the game, more than the starters.  

Hats off to the defense.  Felt like they played 60 minutes of regulation time.

How many sacks would this defense have had if the refs called holding even half the time?  Overwhelming pass rush.  Clifford is going to need a long time in the trainer’s room this week.

For the most part, defense played good, but Penn State's three fourth down conversions (plus a two point conversion) on their touchdown drive was frustrating to this fan.

Nothing I saw today shows me that Aidan is ready for the NFL.  He needs to come back along with Ojabo.  /s but seriously, can we clone them? 

Seems like we took a bend but don't break approach by leaving safeties high all game. Good approach since Dotson is PSUs best player and their best chance to win the game was for Dotson to beat us deep.

This led to alot of light boxes and allowed PSU to rack up some rushing yards, which was somewhat frustrating

Still, once the field shrank in the red zone the defense performed really well.

Great defensive game all around. 

Hutchinson and Ojabo were unblockable today. They were getting held on almost every play. 

Ojabo and Hutchinson. Men.

A victory at PSU on the road is always a good win. (I remember traveling there only to watch some ginger walk on put the nail in RichRod's coffin)

I don't know if this is an offensive, defensive or special teams snowflake though: Why can't we make or stop a 2 point conversion?

Interior wasn’t great and LB play was adequate but the secondary did a very good job on Dotson. 

Frustrating seeing all those sacks wasted on 3rd and long or 4th down conversions. But man, I feel sorry for their QB. What a fucking beat down 

Outstanding effort led by Hutch and Ojabo.  Everyone D Lineman make plays including Jeter & Smith.  Ross and Colton made plays.  Colson came back to play after being hurt.  Hope he is ok. Clifford took a lot of punishment.  I hope he is ok for MSU in two weeks.

Turner and Gray did well pretty with Dotson, who is an outstanding player.  I am surprised we did not double cover Dotson more, particularly in the 4th quarter.

I wonder how many sacks they would have had if holding our DEs was illegal.  Hutchinson and Ojabo are unreal.