Sans Harbaugh, U-M overcomes ‘misfortune,’ PSU

• Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterNov 11, 2023, 06:25 PM ET

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  • College football press reporter.
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2008.
  • Graduate of Northwestern University.STATE COLLEGE, Pa.

— When Michigan’s group airplane touched down Friday afternoon, coaches and players discovered that the Big Ten had actually suspended coach Jim Harbaugh for the final three regular-season games, starting with Saturday’s face-off against No. 10 Penn State.”Terrific timing,” offensive lineman Trevor Keegan stated, sarcastically.But the eleventh-hour discipline for Harbaugh in the sign-stealing scandal couldn’t thwart the third-ranked Wolverines, who topped Penn State 24-15 to enhance to 10-0 on the season. Michigan didn’t finish a pass in the 2nd half– its only attempt led to a pass interference penalty on Penn State– and ran for 227 backyards and three touchdowns against the nation’s No. 1 hurrying defense. The Wolverines ended up being the first Big Ten group not to try a pass in a half considering that 2013 (Ohio State versus Florida A&M)and the first non-service academy to do so given that Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern in 2018. In spite of Harbaugh seeing the game with his family from the team hotel in neighboring Boalsburg, Michigan flustered Penn State throughout and then commemorated later. Chants of “Go Blue!” filled Beaver Stadium as Penn State fans submitted out, and Michigan acting head coach Sherrone Moore, tears streaming down his face, pumped his fist towards Wolverines fans surrounding the team’s tunnel.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated”We know that there’s a target on our back right now and we enjoy that s–, “Keegan said.”As players and personnel, having a one-track mind and staying together

. The storm’s coming. We are the storm. That’s our mentality.”Michigan players celebrated with Harbaugh afterward. Running back Donovan Edwards called him on FaceTime, and the group performed its standard singing of “For He’s a Jolly Excellent Fellow.””He was the jolly great fellow,”quarterback J.J. McCarthy stated of Harbaugh.Earlier in the week, Harbaugh told Moore to be prepared to serve as acting head coach. The task came true less than 2 hours before kickoff, when Michigan found out there would not be

an immediate judgment on its movement for a temporary limiting order to block the Huge Ten’s

suspension. Moore, who coaches Michigan’s offending line, called the group’s offensive plays, revealing bursts of emotion during the game and shedding lots of tears afterward.The 37-year-old stated he’s”a quite calm guy,” but the emotions had actually”built up”throughout the previous 24 hours.”For us to come in this environment and win was substantial, “Moore stated. “Then I simply consider [Harbaugh], enjoy that guy with all my heart. He’s just such a terrific person, great human, fantastic coach. I simply wish to do it for him

.”Running back Blake Corum acknowledged the team “has actually been going through a lot “given that the

NCAA’s sign-stealing examination, concentrated on previous staff member Connor Stalions, started in mid-October. Michigan has know the mockery and criticism of its success, consisting of a social networks clip Penn State posted of protective organizer Manny Diaz making hand signals to encourage fans to show up early to Saturday’s game.Several Wolverines players indicated their wrists, like Diaz did in the video.Be Early. ⌚ Be Loud. Specifically on 3rd Down. (& every down)#WeAre pic.twitter.com/u6VvwoNoHp!.?.!— Penn State Football(@PennStateFball)November 9, 2023″They left some bait out there today, “said Corum, who recorded season highs in brings(26 )and rushing yards(145)while scoring twice.”You understand what that was, you saw it. I do not need to state too much about

it, but it was clickbait for sure.”Michigan went through its regular Friday night,

and Harbaugh resolved the team.
But the coach did not take a trip
on Michigan’s buses to Beaver Stadium, barred from the center by the Big 10’s suspension.”People can make all the allegations and remarks

they desire, but we take it to heart,” Keegan said. “The players who have been here for a while, we did everything we might to turn this program around and bring it back to where Michigan requires to be. … We truly changed this program as one. People can state whatever they desire, however

we know who we are, we understand who’s in this locker room and we trust each other. “Michigan’s defense held Penn State quarterback Drew Allar to just 70 passing backyards on 10 of 22 attempts, and enabled just 4 of 14 3rd downs to be transformed. Protective end Rayshaun Benny required an Allar fumble early in the 2nd half, causing a Wolverines field goal, and Michigan enabled only one play of longer than 13 yards.The team likely will discover Nov. 17 if Harbaugh will return for next week’s game at Maryland. “I saw this quote the other day on Instagram that stated:’The mindset you choose when adversity strikes is the figuring out element if you win or lose,’ “stated McCarthy, who completed 7 of 8 passes for 60 lawns.” I simply seem like anything that comes at this team, we’re going to be all set for it and we’re going to utilize it to our benefit.”