Sports Advance Rewrite Kris Canner 12/11/13 Penn State beats Michigan in Four Overtimes

Penn State beat Michigan in quadruple overtime 43-40 in front of 107,884 jubilant fans at Beaver Stadium.

Beaver Stadium was raucous and boisterous as Bill Benton ran the ball into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth overtime to drive Penn State past Michigan.

In the first half, the Nittany Lions dominated the game going into halftime with a 2110 lead. Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner threw two-interceptions that were each converted to Penn State touchdowns.

Penn State freshman quarterback threw three touchdown passes in the first half.

The Wolverines came back in the second half with more energy. James Ross of Michigan forced a Penn State fumble on the first play of the half. The football was picked up by Frank Clark who ran into the end zone for a Wolverine touchdown.

Michigan dominated the third quarter. The wolverines took their first lead of the day with a 16-yard TD pass from Gardner to Jeremy Gallon. The score was 27-24 with 28 seconds left in the first half.

Beaver Stadium was silenced by Michigans third quarter run. Gardner threw another touchdown pass for 37 yards to Devin Funchess in the fourth quarter.

With 6:35 to go in the fourth quarter, Penn State Kicker Sam Ficken kicked a 43-yard field goal. The score was 34-27 Michigan.

Needing a touchdown to tie the game before the end of regulation, 18-year old Hackenberg completed a 29-yard pass to Brandon Felder and a 33-yard pass to Allen Robinson to bring the ball down to the Penn State one-yard line with 29 seconds left in the game.

Hackenberg ran the ball into the end zone to tie the game at 34.

Beaver Stadium erupted into boisterous cheers. Michigan kicker Brendan Gibbons was short on a 52-yard field goal attempt. The game went into overtime.

After winning the coin toss, Michigan deferred the ball to Penn State. Penn State was forced to kick a 40-yard field goal and Sam Ficken missed wide right.

The game was in Michigans hands. All that was needed was for them to score in order to win the game. Gibbons field goal attempt was blocked by Penn State defensive tackle Kyle Baublitz.

The Wolverines and Nittany Lions continued to battle back and forth throughout four overtimes.

In the third overtime Robinson fumbled giving Michigan another opportunity to win the game with a field goal. Gibbons missed a 33-yard field goal.

In the fourth overtime Michigan scored another field goal putting them up 40-37. With the chance to either tie or win the game Penn States Bill Benton scored a 2yard touchdown to win the game in a thrilling finish.

This was the first loss of the season for the Wolverines bringing their record to 5-1 and 1-1 in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions record is 4-2 and 1-1 in the Big Ten.