Читать книгу Michigan Motivations. A Year of Inspiration with the University of Michigan Wolverines онлайн

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PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY ROLLED INTO Ann Arbor expecting to trounce the floundering University of Michigan Wolverines. The Nittany Lions were undefeated, and their 6–0 record was Penn State’s best start since 1999. The 3–3 Wolverines had experienced an equal share of offensive and defensive struggles over the course of the 2005 season. Their lone bright spot entering the Penn State game was the fact that Michigan had dominated the last six games in the series, including a 27–24 overtime win in 2002. For whatever reason, Michigan had become Penn State’s Achilles’ heel.

The Nittany Lions were intent on ending the losing record and taking back control of the series. If Penn State’s stellar dual-threat quarterback had anything to do with it, that was exactly what they’d do.

But the first half didn’t go as expected—for either team. The game turned into a defensive battle. With 4:34 left in the second quarter, the score was 3–0. Michigan held a small and unexpected lead on a Garrett Rivas field goal.