Ad Disclosure
Michigan maintains nation’s best 3rd-quarter defense after stifling Penn State
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan and Penn State squared off Saturday in a top-10 battle of elite programs. Through the first 10 weeks of the season, both teams have been dominant in the third quarter of games.
Entering Saturday, the two programs were the only teams in the country to not allow points in the third quarter. Penn State maintained a 97-0 against opponents coming out of halftime while Michigan had a 114-0 edge prior to Saturday’s game.
Michigan has outscored its opponents 114-0 in the third quarter.#PennState has outscored its opponents 97-0 in the third quarter.
Something’s gotta give.— Rich Scarcella (@nittanyrich) November 11, 2023
In Saturday’s game, the defenses for both teams carried the day in the third quarter. Penn State turned the ball over on its opening drive of the period, and Michigan dialed up a long drive on the ensuing possession.
While the Wolverines churned up a lot of the game clock, the team was unable to punch the ball into the end zone. Penn State limited the damage to a field goal, and Michigan entered the fourth quarter with a 17-9 lead off the field goal.
That was a big win for the Nittany Lions, but Michigan now stands alone as the only team in the country to not allow a single point in the third quarter. Saturday’s game is Michigan’s 10th of the season:
From @ESPNStatsInfo: Penn State and Michigan entered Saturday as the only FBS teams not not allow a point in the third quarter. Michigan now carries the distinction after outscoring the Lions 3-0.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 11, 2023
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.