Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) and wide receiver KJ Hamler celebrate the team's 28-21 win over Michigan in an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Penn State downs #16 Michigan 28-21
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Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) and wide receiver KJ Hamler celebrate the team's 28-21 win over Michigan in an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) runs for a first down during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Michigan in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
(University Park)–Sean Clifford three for three touchdowns and ran for another to lead No. 7 Penn State to a 28-21 win over No. 16 Michigan.
KJ Hamler was on the recieving end of 25- and 53-yard scoring strikes and tight end Pat Freiermuth grabbe a 17-yard touchdown pass in the game Penn State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) never trailed.
Hamler also had a 100-yard kickoff return called back on a holding penalty. He finished the game with six catches for 108 yards.
Michigan fought back from a 21-7 halftime deficit and with just over two minutes to play had a chance to tie on a fourth-and-goal at the Penn State 3. But Wolverine wideout Ronnie Bell dropped what could have been the tying touchdown while being closely guarded by Penn State safey Lamont Wade.
The Nittany Lions took control of the game early. Clifford connected with Jahan Dotson for 37 yards to set up the scoring pass to Freiermuth.
Penn State went up 14-0 on its next drive when Clifford scored on a 1-yard run set up by a 44-yard rush from Ricky Slade. Back-to-back Michigan offside penalties also helped move the ball to the 1.
Tariq Castro-Fields intercepted a Shea Patterson screen pass midway through the second quarter leading to Clifford connecting with Hamler five plays later to make it 21-0.
Earlier in the day, No. 6 Wisconsin lost on a last-second field goal to Illinois giving the Nittany Lions a chance to move further up in the rankings this week.
Penn State will visit Michigan State on Saturday
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