Penn State report card vs. Michigan: Worst beating absorbed since ...

Penn State provided one of its most disappointing efforts in years − at arguably the most critical time.

While PSU had not faced an offensive line and set of running backs to Michigan's caliber yet this fall, it showed enough reason to believe it could assert itself defensively in a way respectful of its Top 10 ranking. Had enough playmakers throughout, the deepest secondary in recent memory, young and growing talent everywhere.

Then it went out and got manhandled from beginning to end at scrimmage by Michigan, 41-17.

The Wolverines ended things on a 25-point run. They handed the Lions their worst beating since ... issuing a similar domination at home four years ago (42-7).

Penn State was not nearly tough enough up front, did not tackle particularly well on any level and did not show the same fire to perform as in previous road games at Purdue and Auburn.

Even with a bye week to prepare, the Nittany Lions did not look as if they had improved in scheme, effort or execution. Their defense, more than anything, look exposed, even overmatched.

This brings about a gut-check moment for James Franklin and his highly paid, well-regarded coordinators. How do you find answers so quickly with another run-game hammer coming into town next week (Minnesota) and arguably the most talented team in the country (Ohio State) after that?

Here are your grades for one of Penn State's most deflating losses ...

Offense: C-

It probably looked worse by the numbers than it should have.

While the Lions didn't earn a first down on their first two possessions, they simply didn't have much chance to get untracked in this game. They only got the ball three times before halftime.

And yet, you still have to make the most of your shots. Some of the same issues showed again, including not relying on their three stud tight ends early on. Standout Brenton Strange was targeted only three times the entire day and caught one early pass. Theo Johnson, the most talented of the trio, must still be not up to par physically. He had no impact, same for Tyler Warren.

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Sean Clifford? His passing numbers were scant (7-of-19, 120 yards) but he, once again, managed things pretty well and offered a boost with his running.

But he's not built to bring this team back when everything falls on his shoulders and he offered little in the second half before apparently injuring a shoulder.

At one point, Penn State had more touchdowns (two) than firsts downs (one).

Stud rookie Drew Allar led the final two drives.

Has Clifford taken his final snap as a starting college quarterback?

Defense: D

Credit given for three impressive red zone holds in the first half. Despite tackling and issues at scrimmage, this group appeared to have time to regroup and re-energize for the second half.

The Lions actually led 17-16 after driving for a field goal in the first moments of the third quarter.

And the defense surprisingly caved. It promptly yielded long, breezy touchdown runs by Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, which essentially iced the game with more than a quarter to play.

The defense yielded 563 total yards, an incomprehensive 418 of it on the ground.

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Linebacker play is still substandard and the promising rotation of edge rushers are simply not getting home. Sophomore Chop Robinson continues to offer the most of a disappointing situation there.

Now they must gear up for another tailback, perhaps, just as dangerous: Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim.

Special teams: B-

A decent job in the kicking game with Barney Amor averaging 43 yards per punt and, again, getting virtually no return yards. Jake Pinegar hit his only field goal try in rough winds.

The problem, if any, remains the return game where Nick Singleton and company can't seem to produce any kind of spark.

Coaching: D-

The worst effort in long time when you consider the stakes at hand, having an extra week to prepare and the matter at which this team was dominated.

The defense was a stunning failure in stopping the kind of base attack it knew was coming. Shouldn't these linebackers and defensive backs be tackling better in mid-October? Michigan runners continually ran through or bounced off the Lions throwing shoulders rather than attempting to wrap up in the lower body.

While the offense certainly didn't lose this game there also was nothing installed to jump start a crumbling situation in the second half. They appeared limited and handicapped at every turn, despite possessing arguably the best tight end talent and rookie running backs in the Big Ten and beyond.

Coordinator Mike Yurcich simply has not instilled in this unit the kind of edge, creativity and excellence expected when hired nearly two years ago. And he and Franklin probably have a quarterback issue, too: Should Allar be given the keys to the next couple of games, especially if Clifford isn't completely healthy?

Overall: D-

Fortuitous or not, the Lions fought back from early issues and led at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second.

But no halftime adjustments showed on the field on either side of the ball. Is Penn State truly lacking that much talent vs. Michigan?

It's difficult to imagine that considering Franklin's recent recruiting efforts and the abilities that several younger players have flashed this season.

But preparation is lacking, desperately. The offense wasn't ready to play a backup quarterback in the sixth game last year at Iowa and it cost them a top-five victory.

It was not ready at all defensively on Saturday, embarrassingly so.

Play of the game: Donovan Edwards 67-yard TD run

Penn State had clawed back to take the lead early in the third quarter.

And its roughed-up defense had the chance to truly shift momentum, help its offense − and even lead a winning charge down the stretch.

But the game was all but sealed on the fourth play of the ensuing drive.

Michigan backup tailback Donovan Edwards ripped clean through the right side of the line, on his way to an easy 67-yard touchdown run. Did anyone even touch him?

Michigan did more than take back the lead. All momentum rolled downhill in its favor. It felt as if PSU's defense was all but helpless to stop this wave the rest of the way.

There would be no counterpunch.

The worst defensive effort in more than year ensued.

Players of the game: Michigan offensive line

The most dominating kind of effort possible won this game on several levels for the Wolverines.

Even while missing one of its starting tackles.

The Michigan blockers continually opened large running lanes for two uber-talented tailbacks, which sealed success, simply enough. A defense cannot allow Heisman Trophy-caliber runner Blake Corum to have that much space to work with, and he made them pay, as expected.

He ran a numbing 28 times for 166 yards (6 per carry), which, alone, was probably enough to subdue Penn State. Slowing him was the key part of its defensive plan.

But there was no letdown with Edwards. He gouged the Lions through the same open lanes. His 16 carries for 173 yards (10.8 per carry) was the unexpected crushing blow.

Even more, first-year starting QB J.J. McCarthy, who Penn State absolutely needed to pressure and rattle, had plenty of time to throw throughout. He was sacked just once, late in the game.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at  fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football: Big Ten, Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, Blake Corum