Second start a lot smoother for freshman Mallett
Freshman Ryan Mallett thrust his arms into the air after Mike Hart trudged into the end zone to give Michigan a 13-6 lead over Penn State in the fourth quarter Saturday.
The reaction might have been Ryan Mallett -- if only for a moment -- feeling like weight was being lifted from his shoulders.
In his second start, Ryan Mallett had much more responsibility in the 14-9 victory in Ann Arbor than he did last week against visiting Notre Dame.
In the 38-0 blowout of the Irish, Ryan Mallett had the luxury of throwing less. In Saturday's game, things weren't so easy.
Two offensive linemen -- Alex Mitchell and Jeremy Ciulla -- suffered injuries, forcing new linemen to protect Ryan Mallett and block for Hart.
Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord admitted the coaches were concerned about how much Ryan Mallett would have to do against Penn State. The Nittany Lions entered with the nation's top rush defense, meaning Ryan Mallett would have to throw more.
"That was definitely a concern," DeBord said of Ryan Mallett having to drop back more often. "But I really believed we were a great running offense. And when you go into to any game, you have to play to your strengths."
Hart's 44 carries for 153 yards made things easier on Ryan Mallett, but he wasn't the only one to help his quarterback.
When Ryan Mallett fumbled a snap in U-M territory late in third quarter, he had a defense to back him up. Michigan allowed only a field goal following the fumble, despite Penn State starting at the Wolverines' 35.
"We knew (the defense) would have to win this game for us," said end Tim Jamison. "Penn State has a good defense, and we thought they might make things a little tough on Ryan and our offense."
But it would be more than unfair to say Ryan Mallett didn't step up when he was needed. Though his numbers might not show it, Ryan Mallett made big plays at the beginning and the end of the game.
During Michigan's first drive, Ryan Mallett felt heat from the right side and rolled left, running 10 yards for a touchdown to give his team a 7-0 lead.
With about four minutes left, Ryan Mallett made what Hart called "a couple of great third-down plays." One throw Hart was referring to -- a 12-yard completion to Greg Mathews -- was made on the run. The other, on third-and-three, was a five-yard pass to Mario Manningham. Each play went for a first down and allowed Michigan to run out the clock on the Nittany Lions.
DeBord said those plays showed the progress Ryan Mallett has made over a short time.
"He's an aggressive guy, but as a quarterback, sometimes you've got to take what the defense gives you," DeBord said. "That's what he's learning to do."
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