Hoosiers Offense Goes Stagnant in the Second Half Against Michigan

Written by Matt Smith

It’s homecoming in Bloomington which meant the Hoosiers hosted the number four team in the country as the Michigan Wolverines were in town. Indiana entered the game only beating Michigan 10 times over the 70 times they played.

During the first half, the Hoosiers were able to keep the game close and were tied at the end of the half. The Hoosiers were only down seven at the start of the fourth quarter.

“If you would’ve asked any of us coming into the game, down seven in the fourth quarter, I think everyone on the team would tell you that we’re gonna win that game,” Connor Bazelak said post game.

Both teams had blocked field goals to keep the game at 10-10 during the second quarter.

Well, the Hoosiers weren’t able to keep the game close during the final quarter as the defense ran out of gas again and let up two touchdowns similar to what happened last weekend at Nebraska. 

There were issues all over the field for the Hoosiers, but most of the issues came with the offense.

Bazelak had no time to throw the ball and was pressured for most of his drop backs. The Wolverines had seven sacks. 

"Obviously it starts up front, have to protect. Not getting the job done there," Tom Allen said.

Bazelak had to throw the ball away multiple times. He struggled to make any plays with his legs as well. 

"They're fighting out there. Those are my brothers, all of them, and I'm never going to say anything bad about them,” Bazelak said.

Indiana wasn’t able to move the ball at all during the second half and had under 50 total yards to end the half.

The Indiana offense will need to get back to work this week as they host Maryland. Allen was proud of how the players played, but didn’t shy away from criticizing the offense. 

Indiana will host Maryland next week and try to end the three-game losing streak.