Observations on the win over Indiana, 36-33!

Player Participation
1--Wow! What a game! It was close from start to finish with several lead changes. We come up with 15 points on two red zones, and holds Indiana to 16 points on 5 visits to our red zone. Indiana gets 6 points off two Michigan turnovers, but it was the lone Indiana turnover with 2:14 to go on a controversial interception by Donovan Warren that sealed this homecoming win for the Wolverines!
2--Forcier comes up big in the second half overcoming a shoulder injury and several hits to complete 11 of 21 for 181 yards, 2 TDs including the game winning 26 yard TD toss to Martavious Odoms with 2:29 to go in the game. Denard Robinson was 2 of 3 for 39 yards. Offense comes up with 20 first downs, 372 yards of total offense, 9 of 17 on 3rd down conversions and a big 4th quarter for 15 points on two touchdowns and a 2 point conversion. A big 4th quarter offensively negated a huge time of possession advantage by the Hoosiers which was 6 minutes at the half and 12 minutes after 3 quarters, but not even 2 minutes at the end of the game due to 11:36 of ball control offense and take away defense. We took 9 penalties for 58 yards, and the 4 bad snaps definitely need to be corrected for the trip to East Lansing next week.
3--Forcier gained only 15 yards in 10 carries, but runs for a 4th quarter TD and a 2 point conversion. Carlos Brown carried 11 times for 84 yards and comes up with a big 61 yard TD scamper on a screen pass. Brandon Minor had 50 yards on 12 carries for another TD, and Denard Robinson had 11 carries for 24 yards. We net 149 yards rushing for the game.
4--Defense looked bad, but came up with some big stops in the red zone and forced a late turnover to win the game. Jonas Mouton led the defense with 11 tackles, one for loss. Obi Ezeh had 10 tackles, one pass break up. Stevie Brown contributed 9 tackles. Ryan VanBergen got a huge sack, our only one of the game in the 4th quarter, and came up with 6 tackles plus two pass break ups. Brandon Graham had 6 tackles, 2 for loss. We did force Indiana into 6 punts and five three and outs. The Hoosiers end up with 20 first downs, 467 yards in total offense, 4 of 16 in 3rd down conversions and 33 points. Darius Willis scores a big 85 yard 4th quarter TD for the Hoosiers, and finished with 16 carries for 152 yards. Chappell burned pass defense for 21 of 38for 270 yards. Doss had 104 yards on 5 receptions and the big TD run of 25 yards. Turner caught 5 for 48 yards. Our pass defense gave up no TD passes, and got a big interception when we needed a stop.
5--Mesko had a great day! He punted 7 times for a 48.1 yard average, 4 fair caught and 2 inside the 20 including one downed at the 2 by Stevie Brown. Field position was a huge key to the second half especially the 4th quarter. Wright has boomed some great kickoffs, and kickoff coverage was excellent except the big return to our 40. Olesnavage hit all extra points, and we didn't need him for any field goals. Stonum had 7 kickoffs for a 31.8 yard average. One must not overlook the big TD saving tackle by Koger just before the half stopping the fumble recovery into being a sure TD romp by Kirlew.
6--The angle on the review couldn't be shown to the TV audience, but from an inside angle, one may only guess that the replay officials didn't see simultaneous possession. Either that or they didn't have enough evidence to overrule the official on the field. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. Indiana outplayed us most of the game, similar to Notre Dame, but big plays down the stretch helped us win this one. Both teams were very evenly matched. Indiana is much improved and will win their share in the Big Ten this year.
7--Moosman started at Center, Huyge at Right Guard and Dorenstein at Right Tackle. Kovacs got the start at Strong Safety with Williams still injured. Floyd played most of the game with the injury to Cissoko.

Observations on the first half with Indiana, 21-23!
1--Indiana has outplayed us so far! Indiana has 4 red zones for 16 points while we get only one red zone for 7 points. Indiana has 6 points off two Michigan turnovers.
2--Forcier was only 5 of 11 for 113 yards, 1 TD and 1 interception and 2 sacks by Middleton. Denard Robinson was 2 of 3 for 39 yards. Offense can only come up with 9 first downs, 247 yards in total offense with two big play TDs from Carlos Brown of 61 and 41 yards, 3 three and outs, 3 of 7 on 3rd down conversions
3--Carlos Brown has 5 carried for 47 yards, Brandon Minor has 2 carries for 17 yards, Denard Robinson has 6 carries for 27 yards. We get 95 yards in net rushing in the first half.
4--Defense looks bad, very bad! Cissoko was beat deep on a 58 yarder for one red zone. Our safety play is atrocious with Woolfolk especially. Stevie Brown has 7 tackles to lead a beleaguered defense. Mouton has 6 tackles, one for loss. Obi Ezeh has 5 tackles, one pass break up and Brandon Graham has 4 tackles, 2 for loss. We really need to pick it up defensively! We did force Indiana into 4 punts and held them in two red zones to 6 points so that was good. Indiana was zero of 8 in 3rd down conversions, but did get a 4th down conversion that led to their first TD. The Hoosiers end up with 12 first downs, 280 yards in total offense and 23 points. Chappell burns our poor pass defense for 16 of 25 for 207 yards. Doss has 97 yards on 4 receptions and the big TD run of 25 yards. Indiana has a 6 minute time of possession advantage.
5--Mesko has 3 solid punts, one inside the 20 for a 50.7 yard average. Wright has boomed some great kickoffs, and kickoff coverage has been excellent except the big return to our 40. Olesnavage has three extra points, and Mathews almost fumbled one, but recovered and had one return for 6 yards. Stonum has been super on kickoff returns with 4 for 30.8 yard average.
6--This is a shootout, and our defense needs to adjust at halftime; otherwise, we could win or lose this game.