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Players of the game for Penn State vs. Michigan
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- Players of the game for Penn State vs. Michigan
It was another bitter pill to swallow for the Nittany Lions as they succumbed to a second half surge by Michigan after a QB change made by the Wolverines . Still, there were a couple of positives that the Nittany Lions could take away. On offense, Chase Sowell continued to look like a sensational weapon, catching 11 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. It would be hard to imagine what this team would look like had Chase Sowell's first-half injury been more serious.
On the defensive side of the ball, while Tony Rojas remains the emotional leader up front, on the back end, freshman sensation Josiah Zayas continues to impress. His second interception of the year was a highlight reel pay that will excite even the most pessimistic of Penn State fans and give them hope for a brighter future. That is why these two are Penn State's players of the week.
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Offensive Player of the Week: Chase Sowell
Oct 17, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Chase Sowell (0) euns the ball defended by Michigan Wolverines cornerback Smith Snowden (3) in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Sowell has more than stepped up in the absence of Koby Howard. He and Rocco Becht seem to finally be on the same page through the air and it has led to slight offensive improvement. However, Sowell's performance seems anomalous when the offense around him can't produce. This feels like yet another case of a Big Ten receiver being let down by the structure of his team. At least Sowell makes Penn State football somewhat bearable to watch week in week out.
Defensive Player of the Week: Josiah Zayas
Speaking of bearable to watch, the freshman safety is perhaps the most exciting thing about the Nittany Lions at the moment. Another great interception, but another performance where the defense let him down again. It's great though to see someone playing with an aggressive attitude and with a bright energy that exudes confidence in himself. The sky's the limit for Zayas. It just may not be realized this year.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Players of the game for Penn State vs. Michigan
