Observations on the win over Indiana, 52-7
Michigan totally dominated the game after a poor first quarter; the Wolverines powered to 7 red zones for 45 points while Indiana turned the ball over in their only red zone opportunity in the first quarter. Michigan scored 10 points off 4 Hoosier turnovers.
Offense gained 407 total yards with 163 on the ground after giving up 3 early sacks. The Wolverines gained 20 first downs, and 8 of 13 in 3rd and 4th down conversions; J.J. McCarthy hit 14 of 17 for 222 yards and 3 TDs. Blake Corum ran 13 times for 52 yards and 2 TDs; he also lassoed a 15 yard pass. Donovan Edwards gained 20 yards in 9 carries, and caught 2 passes for 33 yards. Ben Hall carried 9 times for 58 yards with Kalel Mullings out due to injury. Roman Wilson caught 3 passes for 14 yards and a TD. Tyler Morris caught 4 passes for 54 yards. Colston Loveland caught 3 passes for 80 yards and a TD. A.J. Barner caught an 18 yard pass. Cornelius Johnson caught a 15 yard pass. Semaj Morgan caught a 7 yard TD pass. Karmello English caught a 4 yard TD pass. Luis Moore and Aaron Casey led Indiana with 7 tackles each; Casey had a sack and a forced fumble as the Hoosiers came up with 4 sacks.
Defense gave up a TD, but played well after that. Indiana gained 232 net yards with 15 first downs with 92 on the ground; they were 7 of 18 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Brendan Sorsby, Tayven Jackson, and Donoven McCulley combined for 14 of 29 for 140 yards and a TD with 2 interceptions; Sorsby ran 13 times for 30 yards. Former Wolverine, Christian Turner, ran 8 times for 27 yards. Jaylin Lucas had 5 receptions for 56 yards and a TD. Defense forced 4 punts and 4 turnovers with 7 quarterback hits and 4 sacks. Junior Colson led the defense with 6 tackles. Michigan actually was way behind in time of possession after the first quarter, but came out with a 5:30 minute time of possession advantage resulting in 2 more offensive plays.
Special Teams were again led by Tommy Doman with 2 punts for a 36 yard average; he also boomed 9 kickoffs for 6 touchbacks, and Indiana two kickoff returns for 50 yards with Caden Kolesar in on two tackles. Tyler Morris had a sensational 27 yard punt return. Jake Thaw had a 10 yard punt return. Semaj Morgan managed 36 yards on 2 kickoff returns. Indiana had 5 penalties for 49 yards which really helped; A.J. Barner was called for a questionable unsportsmanlike penalty, and Michigan took 2 penalties for 20 yards. Former Wolverine, Zach Carpenter, took a hands in the face penalty that negated a completed bomb over Keshaun Harris for about a 40 yard gain.
Bring on the Spartans! Go Blue!