Recent History: Michigan vs. Penn State

Recent history between Michigan and Penn State has been much more favorable to the Wolverines than many fans might think.

The sting of 2017’s loss has stayed with the fan base, but since 2014, Michigan has won four of the five meetings between the programs, including blowout wins in 2016 and 2018.

A night game at Penn State is an extremely tough task, but that is what Michigan will have to overcome to keep its Big Ten title hopes alive.

Here’s a look at the four times Michigan and Penn State have played since Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach:

2018: Michigan 42, Penn State 7 in Ann Arbor

Michigan got some revenge last season, pounding the Nittany Lions. Trace McSorley and Tommy Stevens were held to an embarrassing 8-of-17 for 118 yards and two interceptions, and Miles Sanders was limited to just 14 yards on seven carries.

Shea Patterson threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, while Karan Higdon totaled 132 yards and a score. Cornerback Brandon Watson had a 62-yard pick-six. Penn State didn’t score its lone touchdown until the fourth quarter.

2017: Penn State 42, Michigan 13 in State College

This one was ugly for the Wolverines. McSorley and Saquon Barkley torched the highly-touted Michigan defense and ended this game early on. McSorley had 282 yards through the air and 76 on the ground and four total touchdowns. Barkley 108 yards rushing and two scores, he also had 53 receiving yards and a touchdown.

As for Michigan, well, it was bad. John O’Korn struggled and so did the rest of the offense. The defense simply couldn’t stop the Nittany Lion offense. This was a game to forget.

2016: Michigan 49, Penn State 10 in Ann Arbor

This one was all Michigan from the start, and it truly was a team effort. The Wolverines rushed for 326 yards on 49 carries as a team and spread out six touchdowns. Wilton Speight added one through the air for good measure. The defense held Barkley in check.

This win was solid at the time, but it wasn’t viewed as well as it was at the end of the year, when Penn State went on the become Big Ten champions.

2015: Michigan 28, Penn State 16 in State College

This game saw three different future NFL quarterbacks take the field: Jake Rudock, McSorley and Christian Hackenberg.

Rudock was the best of the bunch and threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns compared to Hackenberg’s 137 yards and one score. Michigan struggled mightily to run the ball, but so did Penn State and Barkley, who ran for only 68 yards.

Chris Godwin was Penn State’s leading receiver while Jehu Chesson, Amara Darboh and Jake Butt combined for 203 yards receiving for Michigan.