Observations on the overtime win over Indiana, 48-41

Michigan got to the red zone five times for 20 points; the Hoosiers gained six red zones for 23 points. Neither team turned the ball over.

Offense came up with their biggest game with 584 net yards, 28 first downs, and was 7 of 13 on 3rd down conversions with 3 "three and outs." Jake Rudock hit 33 of 46 for 441 yards with 4 TDs to Jehu Chesson, and 6 overall with one interception. Rudock scrambled 7 times for 64 yards; DeVeon Smith had 12 carries for 58 yards. Chesson caught 10 for a "whopping" 207 yards. Amara Darboh caught 8 for 109 yards and a TD. Jake Butt caught 7 for 82 yards. Jabrill Peppers had 3 catches for 16 yards. Sione Houma had 5 carries for 17 yards, and 2 receptions for 20 yards.

Defense just simply can't handle "up tempo" offenses! The Hoosiers gained 528 net yards, 308 on the ground, 32 first downs with 20 on the ground, and converted 9 of 22 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Nate Sudfeld was 20 of 34 for 220 yards and a TD; he threw to 9 different receivers. Jordan Howard manhandled the Wolverine defense with 35 carries for 239 yards, 2 TDs plus grabbed a 7 yard TD pass. Devin Redding scampered 11 times for 48 yards. Indiana's "up tempo" offense had 15 more offensive plays even though we held a 5 minute time of possession advantage. We could only force the Hoosier offense into 2 punts. This Wolverine defense continues to give up too many big plays (20+ yards); in this game it was 6 of them. The Hoosiers attacked us on the edges where we are weak, and they were very, very successful. Great game plan and execution for them! Delano Hill and Jarrod Wilson led the Wolverine defense with 10 tackles each; Royce Jenkins-Stone had 9 tackles, 2 for loss with a sack and a forced fumble. Hill broke up the pass to end the game, and also made the tackle at the 2 on Sudfeld that put them into 4th down the play prior.

Special Teams gave up a 51 yard punt return to Mitchell Paige for a TD, and Griffin Oakes outkicked Kenny Allen by hitting 4 of 4 while Allen was only 2 of 3. Blake O'Neill punted 3 times for a 41 yard average. Jourdan Lewis had 3 kickoff returns for 91 yards. The Hoosiers outscored us on Special Teams, 16-6.

In all, we had 13 penalties of 72 yards, and this almost prevented us from getting the overtime opportunity. Tom Strobel played a great deal at Nose Tackle in the game with Ryan Glasgow not making the trip, and Maurice Hurst injured. Dymonte Thomas left early with a right knee injury, hope he's o.k. because we are very, very thin on defense. Walk-onn A.J. Pearson was thrust into action in the second half.

We "dodged another bullet," and yes, it is better to be lucky than good since our defense came unglued until the final play of the game. We'll take the win and head to Happy Valley next week with the offensive confidence we'll need. Go Blue!

Observations on the first half with Indiana Box Score Highlights Post Game Press Conference

Harbaugh Press Conference for Indiana OPlayers DPlayers Depth Chart Game Notes for Indiana