Observations on the win over Indiana, 20-10
Michigan gained 2 red zones for 6 points; Indiana gained 2 red zones for 10 points. Neither team was guilty of a turnover.
Offense got a boost in the second half from DeVeon Smith who scored 2 touchdowns on 34 and 39 yard 3rd quarter scampers; Smith finished the game with 23 carries for 158 yards. Offense was able to gain 284 yards, 225 on the ground with 15 first downs, 12 on the ground, and create a 9 minute time of possession advantage. John O'Korn's debut was not a memorable one. He was 7 of 16 for 59 yards, but had a big 30 yard scramble that set up DeVeon Smith's first TD run; he could only convert 6 of 19 in 3rd down attempts, and only 2 with passes, and netted only 19 yards on the ground after 2 sacks. Chris Evans carried 9 times for 39 yards. The Michigan offense was forced into 6 punts by the Hoosier defense, and stopped both times in the red zone for field goals; however, the Wolverines were able to have 4 plays of 20+ yards on the day, and two went for the distance with Smith's TDs. Marcus Oliver led the Indiana defense with 12 tackles.
Defense held Indiana to 255 yards, 64 on the ground with 15 first downs with 5 of 15 in 3rd down conversions. Richard Lagow was 14 of 29 for 191 yards, but he was sacked 3 times for -29 yards. Devine Redding gained 50 yards in 22 carries, and Camion Patrick gained 10 yards in 4 carries for a TD; however, the Wolverine defense had 12 tackles for loss on the day. Nick Westbrook had 4 catches for 78 yards including 22 and 37 yarders. Luke Timian grabbed a 31 yarder. Mitchell Paige had 4 catches for 41 yards. Ben Gedeon had 9 tackles to lead the defense; Dymonte Thomas had 8 stops, Ryan Glasgow and Michael McCray had 7 each. We forced Indiana into 9 punts.
Special Teams really made a difference in this one! Kenny Allen nailed 6 punts with 4 inside the 20 with 3 inside the 10 to help create needed field position advantage throughout this one especially in the 1st and 3rd quarter when we had the wind behind us. Allen also kicked 2 field goals, and kicked off 5 times with 5 touchbacks. Khaleke Hudson and Michael Jocz blocked punts which also created field position advantage, and led to one red zone. We only had to start one drive from inside our 20, and the Hoosiers bailed us out on that one with an unsportsmanlike penalty on a late hit when O'Korn went out of bounds.
Speight will need to return next week if we are to have any chance against the Buckeyes. Go Blue!
Harbaugh denies Speight broken collarbone report Jim Harbaugh Press Conference on November 14 Part II