Indiana Fights #4 Michigan but Wilts in Second Half

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Michigan Wolverines entered this game as 22.5 point favorites and knowing Indiana has only beaten the Maize and Blue one time in the past 26 meetings. The Indiana Hoosiers, playing without Cam Jones, D.J. Matthews and a number of other contributors, played a fantastic first half but missed a couple of opportunities to take a lead and wilted under Michigan’s defensive pressure in the second half. Ultimately, IU’s offense was unable to block the Wolverines front and the Hoosiers fell 31-10 to drop to 3-3 on the season. IU ended up with only 222 yards of offense, largely a result of Michigan’s seven sacks taking yardage away. The Wolverines got 124 yards from Blake Corum and J.J. McCarthy was 28-36 for 304 yards with three touchdowns.

The Michigan Wolverines began the contest with the ball and wasted no time moving down the field as Blake Corum escaped four IU defenders and galloped 50 yards to the one-yard line. One play later, Corum notched his eleventh rushing touchdown of the season to make it 7-0. IU got one first down on its first possession but a sack by Michigan halted the drive and the Hoosiers punted the ball away. Michigan was unable to get anything going and IU took over at the 21-yard line. The attack embarked on one of its best drives of the season, using tempo and quick-passing to keep Michigan’s defense off-balance. Connor Bazelak threw to Josh Henderson who powered his way into the end zone from ten yards out to tie the game. Michigan’s Ronnie Bell caught a 27-yard pass but the IU defense stiffened near the red zone and held the Wolverines to a 44-yard field goal from Jake Moody to make it 10-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Hoosiers offense had another great drive, marching inside the red zone and appearing to score a go-ahead touchdown with a beautiful play to Aaron Steinfeldt. However, as IU was lining up for the extra point, the officials dropped a flag on the field and called offensive pass interference, taking the points off the board and setting up second and goal from the 25-yard line. The Hoosiers did not recover and had to settle for the tying field goal from 41 yards. Michigan went three and out but IU could not take advantage as Connor Bazelak threw it behind his intended target and Michigan’s Rod Moore intercepted the pass. The Wolverines were set up with great field position but the defense held, forcing a field goal attempt. James Head stuck his big paw up and blocked the kick, it spun and fell short. The Hoosiers handed off to Jaylin Lucas and the electric freshman burst forward for 37 yards to kickstart the drive. IU got two more first downs and moved inside the ten-yard line but failed to convert for a touchdown. Returning the favor, Michigan blocked IU’s field goal attempt and kept the score at ten as the half expired.

Indiana began the second half with the ball and Shaun Shivers ran for 15 yards on the first play of the series. Jaylin Lucas converted a first down with a nice move after a catch but the drive stalled with yet another Michigan sack setting the Hoosiers back. James Evans pinned the Wolverines at the two-yard line but Michigan converted a pair of third and longs and marched 98 yards on 11 plays with Cornelius Johnson scoring to make it 17-10. Indiana went three and out and appeared to be reeling as the Wolverines returned a punt to the IU 33-yard line but Devon “Monster” Matthews intercepted a pass by J.J. McCarthy in the end zone to keep hope alive. The Hoosiers were unable to get anything on offense though as a false start threw the drive off schedule and forced a punt. IU’s defense held firm, forcing a punt and giving the ball back to IU at the 19-yard line. The offense moved well at times but struggled to block or create anything positive for most of the second half and that continued as they were forced into another three and out caused by yet another Michigan sack. The Wolverines began the drive at the 45-yard line and began to grind IU’s defense down. After a few first downs on the ground, McCarthy threw to Luke Schoonmaker and he dove across the goal line for a touchdown to put the Wolverines ahead 24-10 with less than ten minutes remaining. Now down two scores, IU continued to struggle to move the ball and again went three and out, surrendering another third down sack. Michigan took back possession and wound down the clock with their running game. Eventually, McCarthy threw a touchdown pass to Cornelius Johnson to make it 31-10.

The Indiana Hoosiers will now take on the Maryland Terrapins while Michigan has a huge matchup against Penn State on deck. Hoosier Huddle will have continuing post game coverage of this contest.