Observations on the win over Indiana, 39-14
Michigan scored 24 points in 4 red zone opportunities; Indiana came away with 14 points in 3 red zone trips. The Wolverines scored 7 points off 2 Hoosier turnovers, and Indiana couldn't convert a score off the lone Michigan turnover late in the 4th quarter.
Offense gained 22 first downs, 453 yards in 61 plays with 87 on the ground; the Wolverines were 6 of 13 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Shea Patterson was 20 of 32 for 366 yards and 5 TDs; he was sacked twice, and threw a late interception. Nico Collins had 6 catches for 165 yards and 3 TDs. Donovan Peoples-Jones had 5 catches for 73 yards and a TD. Giles Jackson had a 50 yard catch and run plus 2 more runs for 7 yards. Ronnie Bell scored a TD on an 8 yard catch; it was his first TD of the season after 11 games. Tarik Black had 3 catches for 30 yards. Hassan Haskins has 44 yards on 13 carries; Zach Charbonnet has 46 yards on 8 carries. Indiana had 8 penalties for 86 yards that contributed to Michigan's success today including 4 first downs.
Defense started poorly, but came back to have a better second quarter forcing Indiana into 3 "three and outs;" then, shut out the Hoosiers in the second half. Indiana had 19 first downs, 321 yards in 67 offensive plays with 97 on the ground; they were 6 of 14 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Peyton Ramsey was 17 of 29 for 217 yards with an interception; he was sacked three times, but finished with 7 carries for 3 yards and a TD. Stevie Scott had 13 carries for 54 yards and a TD. Payton Hendershot caught 6 passes for 62 yards. Daxton Hill led the defense with 8 tackles plus an interception in his first start; Brad Hawkins didn't travel due to injury, and his status for the Ohio State game is unclear. Aidan Hutchinson had 7 tackles. Khaleke Hudson and Ambry Thomas had 6 tackles each. Josh Uche had 5 tackles plus a sack, 2 quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery. 3rd String Defensive Tackle, Jess Speight, came off the bench to contribute 5 tackles, 4 on the final Hoosier drive. Time of possession was in Indiana's favor by 4 minutes resulting in 6 more offensive plays.
Special Teams were led by Giles Jackson with 3 returns for 81 yards; Donovan Peoples-Jones had a 7 yard punt return. The biggest special teams play of the day was the surprise 2 point conversion run by Dylan McCaffrey! Jake Moody had 7 kickoffs with 4 touchbacks. Quinn Nordin hit a 27 yard field goal. Will Hart really had a poor game with 4 punts for a 31.3 yard average; each team had one punt downed inside the 20. The only special teams tackle made in the game came late in the 4th quarter with Mike Sainristil on the Hoosier interception. No tackles on punt or kickoff returns.
Bring on the Buckeyes! They showed that they are a beatable team today in the game with Penn State. We have a lot of work to do to prepare for this one! Go Blue!