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Michigan vs. Penn State 2006: The Definition of the Tackle

Introduction
October 2006 held a rivalry games in college football. The year Michigan and Penn State played each other. The year before Michigan had beat Penn State in Ann Arbor with :01 seconds left on the clock. Because of that game Penn State lost chances of a National Championship. Michigan was unbeaten and Penn State wanted to beat them. This game played in Happy Valley Penn State's Football Stadium came down to a touchdown. Michigan came out winning. This is considered a huge game because of the stats. This is the only time in Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno's career that his offense ended up with negative yards. Causing ESPN and Sports Radio analysts to nickname this game "The Definition of the tackle".

Recent Series History
Both Michigan and Penn State are powerhouses of the NCAA. Both school are known well through out the country and both coaches at the time were some of the most respected in the NCAA. Michigan is only one of 5 programs to actually hold a winning record over JoePa. Llyod Carr has only lost to Penn State twice in his coaching record. This game was refered as "The hump on Penn States schedule". Michigan was the only opponent on Penn State's schedule that they could not beat. In 2005 Penn State came to Ann Arbor unbeaten with the National Championship hopes. Near the end during one play Michigan head coach Llyod Carr Managed to convinced the Refferree to put one second back on the clock. With this one second left, Michigan's Chad Henne threw the football to Mike Hart in the endzone to win the game. Penn State's season went down hill and they ended up in a much lower bowl than they hoped.

In 2006 Michigan was undefeated going into the Michigan vs. Penn State. This year it was played in "Happy Valley" Penn State's home stadium in College Town, Pennsylvania. The roles of both teams were flipped this year. In 2006 Michigan was undefeated and Penn State had lost a few games. "Instead, this game turned into a historic upset of miracle proportions" ESPN sports analysts and Sports Radio Analysts reported.

The Game
Michigan played Penn State at Penn State, October 2006. The First Quarter was just a struggle for dominance and nothing majorly happened, no scores, only the ball was moved up and down the field.

The Second Quarter: Michigan scored with 11:13 left. When Quarterback Chad Henne threw a 25 yard pass to Adrian Arrington in the endzone, followed by a successful Point After Touchdown (PAT) by kicker Garrett Rivas. The drive was ten plays and 75 yards long. Michigan leads 7-0. With 5:08 left in the Second Quarter Michigan's Garrett Rivas kicks a 22 yard field goal after 16 plays and 44 yards. Michigan leads 10-0 With 00:15 left in the Second Quarter Penn State's Kevin Kelly kicks a 22 yard field goal after 16 plays and 81 yards. Michigan leads 10-3

The Third Quarter: Michigan scored with 00:19 left. Mike Hart runs one yard for a touchdown after 7 plays and 61 yards. Garrett Rivas kicks PAT. Michigan leads 17-3

The Fourth Quarter: Penn State scores with 03:18 left. Quarterback Paul Cianciolo threw 43 yard pass to Tony Hunt after 3 plays and 52 yards. Kevin Kelly kicks PAT. Michigan leads 17-10 00:00 Michigan wins 17-10

Importance of this game
ESPN analysts were shocked at the outcome of this game. In front of over 110,000 Michigan beat Penn State 17-10. What was "most shocking and unexpected about this game wasn't the score, it was the stats" Analysts explained. This is the only game in Penn State's Head Coach Joe Paternos career that his offense was held to negative rushing yards. This never happened before and hasn't happened since. Michigan beats Penn State in an upset. Later in the season, Michigans defense was recorded as it's 2nd best in school history. Allowing only two losses to Ohio State in their season finale, and USC in The Rose Bowl. Michigan ended it's season 11-2 (7-1) Penn State ended the season 9-4 (5-3)

Future of this series
In 2007, Lloyd Carr's last year of coaching, Michigan played and lost it's first two games, beat Notre Dame and opened it's conference season with Penn State visiting. Penn State came in having won it's first three games by very sound scores. Both teams were wondering how this game would play out, since the only measure of talent was against Notre Dame. Michigan beat Penn State 14-9. After Llyod Carr retired at the end of the 2007 season and Rich Rodriguez took over, Michigan has lost both it's games in 2008 and 2009 again Penn State. Before this, Michigan vs. Penn State was a rising rivalry on the national stage.