Michigan Joins Title Hunt Wolverines Maul Lions 34-8 In Paterno’s Worst Home Loss

First, defensive end Glen Steele threw Mike McQueary for a 10-yard loss on Penn State’s opening play, then mighty Michigan tossed aside everything else the Nittany Lions tried in an overpowering 34-8 victory Saturday that moved the No. 4 Wolverines closer to the Rose Bowl.

“It was, without exception, the best performance we’ve had at Michigan in a long time,” coach Lloyd Carr said after his top-ranked defense held the Lions to 169 yards and sacked McQueary five times. “We took a tremendous jump today.”

The Wolverines might even jump a few spots in the Top 25. With No. 1 Nebraska’s 45-38 victory over Missouri, the Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) are hoping for the best.

“If the people decide to vote us No. 1, then we’ll be happy with it,” said cornerback Charles Woodson, who caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Brian Griese in the second quarter. “But we’ll just continue to play good football.”

Michigan, which kept its national title hopes alive, needed only a half to show Penn State who’s boss in the Big Ten.

The nation’s top-ranked defense was at its best, nearly shutting out Penn State (7-1, 4-1) at home for the first time since 1965, the year before Joe Paterno became coach.

“Michigan played a great football game. You have to give them credit,” said Paterno, whose offense averaged 37.3 points per game entering the game. “They are as good as anybody, and they have as much right to be voted No. 1 as anybody.”

The loss was the worst at home in Paterno’s 32 years as coach and ended the longest Division I-A winning streak at 12 games.

The defeat came swiftly as the Wolverines moved to a 24-0 lead in less than 24 minutes.

Michigan held the Lions to three first downs and 38 total yards in the first half.

In the third quarter, Chris Howard’s 29-yard TD run made it 31-0.

Next for Michigan: at Wisconsin.

Next for Penn State: at Purdue.