Indiana escaped Ann Arbor with a win, but it had to drag itself across the finish line.
The sixth-ranked Hoosiers beat Michigan 13-6 in overtime on Saturday in a game defined by sputtering offense on both sides and a defense that did just enough to keep Indiana alive. The Hoosiers didn’t complete a single pass after halftime, taking only two throws in the second half while trying to protect a 6-0 lead. Michigan could never cash in with a touchdown, though, and the game drifted into overtime after the Wolverines managed two field goals.
Josh Hoover then delivered the play Indiana needed. On the first snap of overtime, he connected on a 21-yard pass that turned into a walk-in touchdown, pushing the Hoosiers in front. Indiana’s defense finished the job by stopping Michigan on its next possession, sealing Indiana’s first victory at Michigan since 1967.
The box score told the story as plainly as the final score did. The teams combined for 399 yards, and there were no touchdowns in regulation. Josh Dubow noted that the last game with no TDs and fewer than 400 total yards in regulation came when Iowa beat South Dakota State 7-3 on 9/3/2022, a game in which the teams totaled 286 yards.
Michigan’s quarterback situation was part of the backdrop. Tommy Carr made his first career start after coming off the bench at halftime last week to help the Wolverines beat Penn State.
But his first half against Indiana was rough. A fumble and an interception into quadruple coverage directly fed Indiana’s scoring chances, leading to the Hoosiers’ field goals.
Carr did settle in after halftime, finishing 11 of 18 for 102 yards in the final 30 minutes and guiding two field-goal drives. Even so, Michigan averaged just 3 yards per play, a clear sign the offense still has work to do with Carr replacing Bryce Underwood at quarterback.
For Curt Cignetti’s team, the win mattered after Ohio State snapped Indiana’s 22-game winning streak last week. The Hoosiers avoided back-to-back losses and stayed in the Big Ten picture, but the offense again had trouble moving the ball against a quality defense. This was the third straight game in which Indiana’s attack has looked stuck.
In Other News...
Michigan Still Has One Big Lineup Concern Ahead Of Indiana
Michigans third availability report for its upcoming game against Indiana brought no new changes, but it did reinforce the same concern that has been hanging over the week: the offensive line is still not where the Wolverines want it to be. Several players remain listed across the out, questionable and probable categories, leaving the front five as the biggest area to watch heading into the matchup.
There was at least a bit of encouraging news elsewhere on the injury front, with Kyle Whittingham saying safety Rod Moores issue is minor and not expected to keep him out long. Offensive tackle Andrew Babalola also appears to be nearing a return, which would help, but Michigan is still waiting for the line to look settled before kicking off against Indiana. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Fans Wont Believe The Flag That Helped Indiana Score
A controversial roughing-the-passer flag on Michigan freshman Tariq Boney became one of the early turning points in the game between No. 6 Indiana and Michigan, handing the Hoosiers 15 yards and a fresh set of downs after contact with quarterback Josh Hoover. The penalty kept Indiana's drive alive and helped it build an early lead, turning what looked like a routine defensive play into an immediate source of frustration for the Wolverines sideline and their fans.
Fox analyst Joel Klatt didnt hide his displeasure with the ruling as the game unfolded, calling out the officiating on air in real time. And with roughing calls already drawing attention in recent games, the flag fit neatly into a bigger conversation about how these plays are being judged, even if Michigan had little choice but to move on and keep playing. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Red Zone Frustration Just Put Jason Beck Under Fire
Michigans 13-6 loss to No. 6 Indiana was the kind of game that left the offense searching for answers on both sides of the ball. The Wolverines managed only 224 total yards, never found much rhythm on the ground, and had too many empty trips after moving the ball far enough to at least threaten. Kicker Trey Butkowski also missed two kicks, which only added to a night when Michigan couldnt afford to waste chances.
The pressure now turns toward offensive coordinator Jason Beck after a questionable play call drew attention from Kyle Whittingham, who said he took responsibility for the decision and its impact on the game. For a Michigan team that needs cleaner execution and better protection of possession moving forward, the margin for error is getting thinner. The next few games will show whether this was a one-off misstep or a sign the offense still has work to do before it can be trusted in tight spots. [Read more 🡒]