Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)

For the second straight week the Indiana offense got off to a hot start, but ultimately fell apart over the final two and a half quarters. Saturday’s 39-14 loss to Michigan marked Indiana’s second-worst offensive performance of the season. After a 10-play, 75-yard drive to start the game, the Hoosiers managed just 246 yards of offense the rest of the game, with a chunk of that total coming in garbage time. It was a cold and rainy day in Bloomington, but that certainly didn’t affect Michigan as much as Indiana. The Wolverines out-gained the Hoosiers 453 yards to 321 and IU lost the turnover battle 2 to 1.

Another factor in Indiana’s poor offensive performance was a slew of injuries. Star wideout Whop Philyor did not dress and Ty Fryfogle, Stevie Scott, and Matthew Bedford were all limited or eventually sidelined in the game. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey was playing through pain as well, and his day ended with eight minutes left in the game as redshirt freshman Jack Tuttle took over. At the end of the day, between weather, injuries, and Michigan’s elite talent, there was just too much to overcome for this young Hoosier team.

IU received the opening kickoff and immediately had success both on the ground and through the air. The quick passing game was effective as Ramsey opened the game with four straight completions. Fryfogle caught two passes for 21 yards on the opening drive and Donavan Hale and Peyton Hendershot each added a catch. Once IU made it to the 15-yard line, offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer dialed up five straight runs, four from Stevie Scott and one from Ramsey. The drive ended with Stevie Scott leaping over the pile for a score.

The Hoosiers second drive started similarly. Ramsey completed a pass to Fryfogle and another to Hendershot which pushed the ball to midfield. After Stevie Scott picked up a first down at the 49-yard line, Ramsey tried to take a deep shot. Ramsey was hit hard as he threw the ball and his pass was intercepted. Facing a one-score deficit, Ramsey and the Hoosiers began their third drive near midfield. Two passes to David Ellis jumpstarted the drive, one of Ellis’ receptions was good for 23 yards to take IU near the red zone. A 17-yard scamper from Scott took it to the goal line where Ramsey punched it in on a QB sneak.

At this point the game was tied and looked to be up for grabs. Last week at Penn State, the Hoosiers clung to a 14-10 lead early in the game but were unable to create any distance in the second quarter. Saturday against Michigan was more of the same. With the game tied at 14-14, Indiana had two prime opportunities to take a lead and put pressure on the Wolverines. Both drives resulted in three-and-outs. Ramsey did not have much time to throw at all after the opening drive. Michigan was able to adjust and put the clamps on Indiana’s offense.

After Michigan scored a quick TD to take a 21-14 lead, The Hoosiers went three-and-out for the third drive in a row. On third and short IU called an end-around run to Donavan Hale that went for a four-yard loss. The second half was a nightmare all around for Indiana. Down by 10 points, the Hoosiers completed a clutch third and 20 with a pass from Ramsey to Westbrook. On 4th and 1 the Hoosiers converted with Stevie Scott, but a holding penalty was called away from the play on Matthew Bedford, forcing IU to punt again.

Indiana’s next two drives to finish the third quarter combined for six plays, negative-nine yards, one punt and one lost fumble. The Hoosiers last gasp was a nine-play 71-yard drive that ended with a turnover on downs on the goal line. Indiana must move on quickly and prepare for the Old Oaken Bucket. Hopefully the injuries sustained on Saturday afternoon are not severe. The positive momentum for Indiana’s unprecedented season seems to have vanished for now. A win in West Lafayette next week would recapture that momentum heading into bowl season.

The Huddle

After a Hot Start, Indiana's Offense Gets Snowed in by Michigan's Defense

Hoosier Huddle