Game Wrap and Reaction: Michigan 31 Indiana 20
/
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Opponent: Michigan Wolverines
Location: Michigan Stadium Saturday November 17th, 2018 Ann Arbor, MI
Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Wolverines play annually as Big Ten East foes.
What The Game Meant: For Indiana this was a chance at a 6th win, however they had not won in Ann Arbor since 1967. Michigan clinched a share of the Big Ten East title with the win.
Top Offensive Performers:
Stevie Scott, RB, Indiana- Scott found running room against one of the best defenses in the country. He eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season after running for 139 yards and a touchdown. Indiana’s offensive deserves credit as well, their run blocking was great.
Peyton Ramsey, QB, Indiana- Ramsey continues to play well and use his legs. While he didn’t light up the world passing he did throw for 195 yards and a score while keeping multiple drives a live with his legs. Ramsey finished with 68 non-sack rushing yards.
Shea Patterson, QB, Michigan- Patterson has Michigan’s offense clicking and moving into the 21st century. He completed 16-of-28 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 68.
Zach Gentry, TE, Michigan- Gentry only had two catches, but it was for 83 yards. He also drew a couple pass interference penalties.
Top Defensive Performers
Marcelino Ball, Husky, Indiana- Ball led the Hoosiers with 10 tackles and picked off a pass. He has had an up and down season, but seems to be turning the corner at the right time.
Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan- Gary may be the best player the Wolverines have. The big fella made nine tackles including 1.5 sacks.
Special Teams Performance
Logan Justus is almost automatic, but that is about it as far as highlights for the Indiana special teams units. The Hoosiers continue to wave the white flag on kick return by having Mike Majette fair catch everything. Jared Smolar was good early in the season, but has lost steam as the season has went along. His pooch kicks have not been good and IU lost the field position battle by a wide margin on Saturday. Haydon Whitehead only had a net average of 34.5 yards.
Key Stat(s)
8
While the Hoosiers did limit the damage Michigan did in the red zone, the Wolverines did get there eight times.
Turning Point
The turning point came in the first seven minutes in the third quarter where Indiana had three possessions and came away with no points. To open the half, IU went three-and-out which was followed by a fumble and then a punt. On those three drives IU ran 15 plays and gained 36 yards.
I Knew it Was Over When…
Jake Moody put Michigan up 11 with 2:37 left with his sixth field goal of the game.
Players of the Game
Stevie Scott, Indiana- Scott has found his second wind this season and is having a special year. 139 yards and a score against a great defense is impressive.
Jake Moody, Michigan- The Michigan kicker accounted for 19 of Michigan’s 31 points on Saturday. Having even, a mediocre day would have spelled doom for Michigan.
What I took away from the game
Indiana was the aggressor on Saturday and punched the bully in the nose, the bully ultimately won, but Indiana showed they were not going to be intimidated. While the Hoosiers lost yet again at the Big House, the effort was encouraging. IU will head into the Bucket Game needing a win for a bowl berth for the fourth-straight season. However, the energy in the locker room seems different and the players have noticed it.
As far as this one goes, Indiana’s offense played well enough to put up some decent numbers against the Big Ten’s best defense. However, mistakes cost them a chance to do real damage. A Scott fumble, an early Ramsey interception and a really bad personal foul on Simon Stepaniak are things that need to be addressed before Saturday. IU will also have to overcome the loss of Cam Jones in the first half next week due to a targeting penalty.
Indiana’s defense bowed as much as they could without breaking, holding Michigan to six short field goals and a touchdown in eight red zone trips. IU also recorded just one tackle for loss.
The bottom line is that Indiana still has postseason play insight and that is a huge deal for a program that has been to just 11 bowls in 131 seasons.
What’s Next
The Hoosiers cap off the regular season against Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket Game that kicks off at Noon on ESPN2.