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Patterson talks eye injury

Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson said he had his eyes gouged by a Penn State player during a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown Saturday night at Beaver Stadium.

Patterson spoke with reporters Tuesday and described what it was like being in the scrum at the goal line. His score, which was in question for about 30 seconds as officials shuffled through the pile trying to find the ball, pulled Michigan within 28-21 in the fourth quarter.

“I’ve never been in a pile as violent as that one,” Patterson said, according to the Detroit News. “Got the touchdown, but that wasn’t fun. Kid had his index finger in my eye socket for like 10 seconds. That wasn’t good.”

Patterson also said, “I was trying to reach the ball across the plane, and I know for a good while I was screaming for my life. I wasn’t too happy about that.”

The quarterback could be seen on replay talking to an official after the play. He also was asked Tuesday if he felt the eye gouging was intentional.

“Uh, yeah,” he said.

Despite his allegation, Patterson praised the Penn State team for being well-coached and said the defensive players are not nasty players.

One of his teammates, offensive lineman Jon Runyan, sounded more upset about the incident than Patterson did Tuesday.

“Shea was getting his eyes gouged out in the scrum over there, and he was still fighting away even though people were digging his eyes,” Runyan said. “Came to the sideline with tears all in his eyes because it was ridiculous people were trying to gouge his eyes out, but he kept fighting for us and we appreciate it.”

Penn State coach James Franklin was not asked about the eye gouging allegation during his post-practice media availability Wednesday night.

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