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Lions dejected after defeat
By Andrew Staub
Collegian Staff Writer
The walk off the field was silent.
Some players, like BranDon Snow, ran to the sidelines to thank the Penn State student section, a rowdy group who cheered its team to the end, offering a standing ovation and a "We are ... Penn State" tribute as time expired on Penn State's 17-10 loss to No. 4 Michigan Saturday.
But despite the cheers from the 110,007 fans in attendance, the second-largest total in Beaver Stadium history, the walk to the locker room was made with lowered heads and few words from the Nittany Lions.
While the Lions didn't avenge last year's heartbreaking loss to the Wolverines (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten), they did give a talented Michigan squad a test, even without their first- and second-string quarterbacks.
Playing without starting quarterback Anthony Morelli because of a concussion and backup Daryll Clark due to a neck injury, Penn State
(4-3, 2-2) handed the ball to sophomore Paul Cianciolo, who didn't take a snap with the first team offense this week.
Trailing by seven with 1:44 left in the fourth quarter, Cianciolo and the Penn State offense couldn't muster a first down on its final drive against a Michigan defense that held Penn State to 186 total yards.
Cianciolo's final pass to Jordan Norwood on fourth down fell incomplete, ending Penn State's comeback chance.
The loss was Penn States' third to a top-five team this year; the Lions also fell to No. 1 Ohio State and then-No.4 Notre Dame in September. But playing close to a national title contender isn't enough for the Lions.
"No such thing as a moral victory," senior defensive tackle Ed Johnson said. "There's never been a moral victory."
Stymied by a Michigan defense that racked up seven sacks and held senior running back Tony Hunt to just 33 yards rushing, Penn State failed to score until kicker Kevin Kelly kicked a 22-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in the first half. By that point, a Chad Henne touchdown pass to Adrian Arrington and a Garrett Rivas field goal had already given Michigan a 10-3 lead.
Wolverine running back Mike Hart, who finished with 112 yards rushing, pushed the lead to 17-3 with a one-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
With 3:18 left in the game, Cianciolo dumped off a screen pass to Hunt, who cut through Michigan defenders for a 43-yard touchdown reception to pull Penn State within seven points.
"The heart was good. We fought all the way to the end," said sophomore wide receiver Derrick Williams, who hauled in six catches for 67 yards. "Tony made a big run, got us closer. It was a lot of heart out there. The defense did a good job and things just didn't fall our way."
Still, Penn State believes it's just one break away from turning the season around.
"I don't think we're that far away, but we've got to start proving it," Hunt said. "We can't keep coming close and not winning. That's not going to get us anywhere."
While Hunt was stopped on the ground, he was Penn State's leading receiver with five catches for 85 yards.
Penn State had an opportunity to take an early lead, but Kelly missed a 46-yard field goal on the opening drive.
The loss snaps Penn State's 11-game home winning streak and all but eliminates the Lions' chances for a BCS Bowl.
But despite the hardships, players don't feel like they've lost control of this season. After the game, sophomore linebacker Sean Lee said as long as the fans stick with the team, Penn State won't give up.
"They were great," he said. "It was great support, great whiteout. They were behind us the whole way. We wanted to get the win for them, but we didn't get it done.
