Michigan
4-2 , 1-2
Penn State
3-4 , 0-4
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn St. | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 18 |
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 21 |
Rushing Attack, Turnovers Lead U-M Past PSU, to First B1G Win
10/17/2026 7:50:00 PM | Football
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Michigan 21, Penn State 18
Records: U-M (4-2, 1-2 B1G), PSU (3-4, 0-4 B1G)
Attendance: 110,731
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 24 -- vs. #5 Indiana (Michigan Stadium), Noon (TV: Fox)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team earned its first Big Ten win of the season with a 21-18 decision over Penn State on Saturday (Oct. 17) at Michigan Stadium. U-M staved off a late comeback attempt by the Nittany Lions to earn its fourth win of the season and fourth straight win against PSU.
After getting shut out through the first 30 minutes, the Wolverines came to life after halftime, forcing three turnovers and leaning on the ground game to score all three of their touchdowns. U-M collected 174 of its 211 rushing yards in the second half, averaging 7.6 yards per carry.
Tommy Carr helped lead the offensive resurgence, receiving his first extended run at quarterback for the Maize and Blue. Carr completed five of his seven attempts and registered 83 total yards, including his first career rushing score.
Chris Bracy was a game-changer in the winning effort, forcing two turnovers in the second half. He recorded eight tackles, including the first sack of his Michigan career that forced a fumble recovered by Enow Etta.
After the fumble, Carr punched in a rushing touchdown from 12 yards out, which proved to be the game-clinching score.
Rod Moore Jr. recorded the Wolverines' first interception of the second half on the first Nittany Lions pass attempt, and Bryson Kuzdzal took a handoff up the middle for 43 yards just two plays later, giving Michigan its first lead of the game. The rush nearly doubled Kuzdzal's career long of 22 yards, and was his first score of 2026.
On the next Penn State drive, Bracy jumped in front of a pass for his first interception as a Wolverine and the third pick of his career. The offense once again capitalized on the turnover, capping off a 74-yard drive with Jordan Marshall's fourth touchdown of the season, set up by a 22-yard quarterback keeper from Carr.
After allowing a field goal on the game's first possession, the Maize and Blue defense allowed just 80 total yards for the rest of the first half and held Penn State to just one third-down conversion on five attempts. In the half, John Henry Daley recorded his fourth sack of the season in the second quarter.
Troy Bowles once again was a key part of the Wolverine front seven, leading the team with 10 tackles and splitting a sack with Trey Pierce in the first quarter.
Although he did not find the end zone, freshman Savion Hiter was key to the U-M rushing attack, leading the way with a career-high 78 yards on 11 carries, including a career-long 41-yard rush in the fourth quarter.
Michigan continues conference play next Saturday (Oct. 24) against No. 5-ranked Indiana. The game is scheduled for a noon kickoff on Fox.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
PSU 3, U-M 0
PSU - Barker,Ryan 24 yd field goal 16 plays, 69 yards, TOP 09:02
PSU 3, U-M 7
U-M - Kuzdzal,Bryson 43 yd run (Butkowski,Trey kick), 2 plays, 43 yards, TOP 00:15
PSU 3, U-M 14
U-M - Marshall,Jordan 1 yd run (Butkowski,Trey kick), 11 plays, 74 yards, TOP 06:06
PSU 11, U-M 14
PSU - Hansen,Carson 2 yd run (Brahmer,Benjamin pass), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:34
PSU 11, U-M 21
U-M - Carr,Tommy 12 yd run (Butkowski,Trey kick), 3 plays, 13 yards, TOP 02:04
PSU 18, U-M 21
PSU - Sowell,Chase 24 yd pass from Becht,Rocco (Barker,Ryan kick) 11 plays, 73 yards, TOP 01:40
