At the start of the game, everything looked promising. In front of a Stripe Out Beaver Stadium crowd that was so loud it made the press box shake, Penn State football’s defense forced Michigan to punt the ball to end its first two drives.

Now, it’s hard to believe that ever happened after the Nittany Lions lost 24-15 against the Wolverines, effectively ending hopes of winning the Big Ten Championship game or making the College Football Playoff. To add insult to injury, the reason Penn State couldn’t get it done was perhaps the biggest thing it had excelled at the whole season: rushing defense.

Penn State had the No. 1 rushing defense in college football coming into the game. Manny Diaz’s group was only allowing 2.00 yards per play, 60.6 yards per game, six rushing touchdowns, and a total of 545 rushing yards.

Against Michigan, though, Penn State’s defense allowed 227 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Blake Corum, who leads the nation in rushing touchdowns, had 145 of those yards and two of those touchdowns. Donovan Edwards, his understudy, had 52 and one, respectively. Meanwhile, quarterback JJ McCarthy, who didn’t attempt a pass after the first seven minutes of the second quarter, had 34 rushing yards.

The Wolverines struggled significantly in the first quarter, as they only managed 10 rushing yards. Corum was tackled for no gain by Dvon Ellies for the game’s first play. The same thing happened a drive later, except Abdul Carter forced him to fumble the ball, which Michigan recovered.

However, Michigan quickly found momentum on its third drive. The signature moment was a 22-yard rush by Edwards, and the 10-play drive was capped off by a three-yard touchdown by Corum.

“When they make big plays, we have to be able to respond,” linebacker Curtis Jacobs said. “I felt like we did have a good response, but it didn’t sustain us the rest of the game.”

Explosive plays such as Edwards’ run were a reoccurrence throughout the rest of the game as the Wolverines continued hitting their stride. There can be a few must-have plays in any given game that, if they don’t go your way, can kill the team’s momentum and morale.

“In games like this, there’s always four to six key plays,” Jacobs said. “We didn’t get enough of those plays to go our way.”

The mood in the media room at Beaver Stadium was solemn, as every player made available to speak appeared as defeated as one can be after such a loss. The team prepared for Michigan’s running backs, but it sure didn’t seem like it on the field.

“That’s a great team with a great rushing attack,” Jacobs said. “We prepared for it, but like I said, we just didn’t execute, and that’s never going to be acceptable.”

Penn State repeatedly let Michigan run the ball again, and again, and again. Players walked off the field in tears to boos from what was left of a restless home crowd. Franklin stood at the 35-yard line and stared blankly into space.

The rushing defense, which was arguably Penn State’s specialty, became the biggest Achilles’ heel in another must-win game.

Now, with what may have been the worst behind it, Penn State players said they’ll turn their heads to what’s next.

“We’re looking for things to get better at after this loss,” defensive lineman Dani Dennis-Sutton said. “We can’t harp on it too long.”