Tommy Carr sparks Michigan rally as Wolverines hold off Penn State 21-18

Tommy Carr gave Michigan an answer at quarterback for one Saturday afternoon. The Wolverines still needed their defense to hand him the field position, and Jordan Marshall to finish the job.

Carr replaced Bryce Underwood after halftime, ran for the deciding touchdown and helped Michigan beat Penn State 21-18 in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines scored all 21 points after the break to earn their first Big Ten victory and end a two-game losing streak.

Michigan's official recap credited Carr with 83 yards of total offense in his first extended action. He completed five of seven passes for 47 yards and rushed for 36 more. Underwood had gone five of 11 for 43 yards with two interceptions as Michigan reached halftime trailing 3-0.

Three takeaways change the game

Rod Moore Jr. intercepted Penn State's first pass of the second half. Two plays later, Bryson Kuzdzal broke a 43-yard touchdown run to put Michigan ahead. Chris Bracy intercepted Rocco Becht on the next Penn State possession, giving the Wolverines another chance to turn a defensive stop into points.

This time Michigan traveled 74 yards. Carr's long keeper brought the ball to the goal line, and Marshall finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown for a 14-3 lead late in the third quarter.

The Big Ten's official highlights cover Michigan's second-half rally:

Penn State answered with Carson Hansen's 2-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion from Becht to Benjamin Brahmer. With 11:40 remaining, Michigan's lead was down to three points, and the Wolverines' next two possessions ended in punts.

Bracy supplied the next opening. His sack forced a Becht fumble, which Enow Etta recovered, leaving Michigan a short field. Carr eventually kept the ball on third down and ran 12 yards for a touchdown with 2:58 left. Michigan led 21-11.

Penn State keeps the finish uncomfortable

Becht found Chase Sowell for a 24-yard touchdown with 1:11 remaining. Michigan recovered the onside kick, then Marshall gained four yards and eight yards on consecutive carries. The second run earned the first down that let Carr take a knee.

Sowell finished with 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown. Becht threw for 267 yards, but his two interceptions and lost fumble repeatedly gave Michigan opportunities. The Wolverines allowed only 65 rushing yards while producing 211 of their own, including 174 after halftime. Savion Hiter led Michigan with 78 yards on 11 carries.

There was an injury concern amid the turnaround. WDIV's game report said Moore was carted off during the third quarter. That report did not establish a diagnosis or a timetable.

Michigan improved to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play. Penn State fell to 3-4 and 0-4. For the Wolverines, the immediate reward is a win before next Saturday's home game against Indiana; the longer quarterback decision remains ahead.