Game Wrap and Reaction: Michigan 52 Indiana 7

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Opponent: Michigan Wolverines

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Wolverines play annually as members of the Big Ten East.

What The Game Meant: In the big picture of the 2023 season, this game did not mean much. It was a chance for IU to turn the page on the Walt Bell Era and try and gain any momentum into a must win game against Rutgers next week.

Top Offensive Performers

Donaven McCulley, WR, Indiana- McCulley had another nice game for IU as he has become the go to receiver for the IU offense. He made two catches for 16 yards and threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Lucas to put IU ahead 7-0.

J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan- McCarthy has become a game breaking quarterback for Michigan. He completed 14-of-17 passes for 222 yards and three scores. He extended plays with his legs and while he didn’t run it, those scrambles led to big passes. He finished with 27 yards rushing as well.

Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan- Loveland proved he is one of the better tight ends in the conference. He made three catches for 80 yards including a 54-yard catch and run touchdown.

Top Defensive Performers

Lanell Carr, Bull, Indiana- Carr had a big game with four tackles and two sacks.

Aaron Casey, LB, Indiana- Casey had another big game for IU with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Jaylen Harrell, DE, Michigan- Harrell had two sacks and a forced fumble for the Michigan defensive line, which wore down the Hoosiers and dominated the second half.

Special Team Performance

The Indiana special teams unit needs to be better if the Hoosiers are going to salvage the rest of the season. Penalties on kickoffs reared their head again and allowing two punt returns for 37 yards cannot happen. Punter James Evans has been inconsistent again as he shanked the first punt and out kicked the coverage on another.

Jaylin Lucas is not getting the opportunities in the return game that could turn games on their head.

Chris Freeman has been good, but his opportunities are few and far between.

Key Stat(s)

52-0

After falling behind 7-0 Michigan went on a 52-0 run to finish the game.

Turning Point

The turning point of the game came when Sorsby’s 37-yard pass to McCulley was wiped off the board with a penalty. IU was trailing 14-7 at the time and that would have put them in Michigan territory with a chance to put up points going into halftime. 

I Knew it Was Over When…

Michigan made it 21-7 just before halftime, which turned a solid half into the beginnings of a blow out.

Players of the Game

Donaven McCulley, Indiana

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

What I took away from the game

It’s never great when IU loses 52-7. However if you were expecting a wholly different outcome, you just don’t know the history of the series. It’s now 63-10 in favor of Michigan.

Like any game there were some bright spots and some very concerning issues for the Hoosiers as they left Ann Arbor winless.

The offensive play calling in the first quarter and until the offensive line was worn down was much better than what it has been (not a high bar to clear, more like tape on the ground). The defense fell apart after a strong start, but did register four sacks and seven tackles for loss against one of the best offensive lines in the country.

However, the final three quarters were played and IU went down a dark path yet again. We have passed the mid-way point of the season and Tom Allen still has not figured out the quarterback situation that will just continue to get muddier. The yo-yoing of quarterbacks has to stop. A starter has to be named and it needs to be the one who gives IU the best chance to win, not necessarily the higher-rated, higher paid guy. There are winnable games left. The mid-to-bottom of the Big Ten is terrible this year.

What’s Next

Indiana will host Rutgers (5-2, 2-2) for homecoming this week in a must win game for the Hoosiers.